Bear Persist 33 Compound Bow

The Bear Persist 33 is the forgiveness play in the Persist family - the same quiet, machined-aluminum hunting platform stretched to a longer, steadier 33-inch axle-to-axle. At a $1,249.99 launch MSRP it undercuts the Mathews and Hoyt flagship tier while delivering the things a distance-conscious hunter actually wants: a pin that parks on aim, a shot that is dead in the hand, and one of the faster IBO-honest performances Bear has produced - 334 fps with a 350-grain arrow at a 30-inch, 70-pound setup, and a real 319 fps at a 29-inch draw. The EKO cam's four-position let-off lets you hold light for a long treestand sit or add weight to steady a windy shot, and the fully integrated riser makes a clean, snag-free build the default. What stays with me is how still it holds at distance compared to the shorter Persist - the extra length and the honest heft are doing exactly what they should. An excellent bow for the open-country and treestand hunter who prizes a steady hold and a silent shot, particularly strong on measured shots past 40 yards. Buyers who want a lighter, more maneuverable bow for mobile hunting should also look at the shorter Bear Persist, and those chasing the quietest possible long flagship should look at the Mathews Phase4 33... read full review