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ARCHERY LEGACY · MANUFACTURER HISTORY

Bear bows & history

Bear grew from a Depression-era partnership into an archery business shaped by Fred Bear’s equipment development, field films and promotion of bowhunting. The founder’s life and the company’s later ownership are separate parts of the story.

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Bear bow history & research

Bear grew from a Depression-era partnership into an archery business shaped by Fred Bear’s equipment development, field films and promotion of bowhunting. The founder’s life and the company’s later ownership are separate parts of the story.

Origins
1933 roots
Founder / founding team
Fred Bear and Charles “Chuck” Piper
Latest documented ownership
Escalade — 2003 acquisition documented
Status
Current manufacturer

Documented milestones

1933

Bear and Charles Piper established the business from which Bear Archery developed.

Company history

1947

Bear moved its archery operation to Grayling, Michigan.

Company history

1968

Fred Bear sold control to Victor Comptometer while remaining involved with the company.

BHP owner research

2003

Escalade announced the acquisition of substantially all North American Archery Group assets. Announced offer terms are not a verified final court-approved price.

Trade reporting

Model archive

Browse Bear archive records

BHP Test Lab coverage

Recorded worksheet results retain their test setup and model-year sources. Advertised speeds and measured speeds are different measures.

Related videos

Sources and research limits

A dated acquisition does not establish unchanged present ownership. Unresolved details remain under research.

  • Reconcile the intermediate corporate ownership chain against filings
  • Confirm final 2003 transaction consideration

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