Inspired by the South Branch of Michigan’s AuSable River—waters that helped shape Fred Bear’s archery legacy—the Bear Archery® South Branch Longbow is a refined, modern longbow with deep traditional roots. At 58" AMO, it blends classic aesthetics with a smooth-shooting reflex/deflex design, offering a calm, steady draw and an elegant, understated presence in the hand.
This compact longbow features a narrow limb profile that enhances efficiency while maintaining the forgiving feel longbow shooters love. Light, responsive, and beautifully balanced, the South Branch is built for archers who value simplicity, precision, and tradition carried forward.
Riser: Crafted from Bolivian rosewood and hardrock maple, the riser showcases rich contrast and natural beauty. A sleek, thin low-wrist grip promotes relaxed hand placement and consistent shooting form—ideal for instinctive and traditional shooters. Cut to center with a radiused shelf. Comeswith Bear Archery’s traditional Bear Hair Rest and leather strike plate.
Limbs: Reflex/deflex limb design with black fiberglass limbs for durability and smooth performance. Reinforced limb tips add strength and longevity, finished with a striking black-and-white fiberglass cap.
String: Includes a Bear Archery Silent Shot string for quiet, dependable shooting.
- AMO Length: 60"
- Design: Reflex/Deflex Longbow
- Riser: Bolivian Rosewood & Hardrock Maple
- Limbs: Black Fiberglass
- Tips: Reinforced with Black & White Fiberglass Cap
- Shelf: Cut to Center, Radiused
- Included: Silent Shot String, Bear Hair Rest, Leather Strike Plate
Available in a Gloss or Satin finish. Comes in right hand in pull weights of 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60#, and left hand in pull weights of 35, 40, 45, and 50# measured at 28" draw. Please specify.
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Read about Longbow and Recurve Set-up on our blog.
Choose from a left or right handed bow (choose based on what hand you Draw the bow string with), and bow weight at a 28" draw length. Remember that with a traditional bow the weight will change depending upon what your draw length is. Bow weight will change approximately ±2½ pounds for every inch from a bows rated draw length. So a bow rated 45# @ 28" bow is roughly a 42½# @ 27" or 47½# @ 29". Draw weight is marked at the nearest 5# increment to actual weight, (2#'s under and 3#'s over). This is an industry wide standard.
Bow stringer not included. A bow stringer is recommended for stringing any recurve bow or longbow. Stringing a bow without a bow stringer, or stringing it backwards will void a bow's warranty. Click here to see our Bow Stringers. It is recommended to unstring your bow if you do not plan to be shooting more than week. Store your bow on its side, or hanging vertically from a peg. Never rest the bow on the lower tip for extended periods of time. Never dry fire the bow (shooting without an arrow).
Minimum Arrow Weight - Do not shoot an arrow weighing less than eight grains for every pound of peak draw weight. For example: If your bow's peak weight is 40 pounds at your 30" draw length, do not shoot an arrow weighing less than 320 grains total arrow weight (40# x 8 gpp = 320 grains). Shooting an arrow below eight grains per pound (gpp) can cause damage to your bow similar to dry firing and possible injury to the shooter or others nearby. Damage caused by shooting an arrow that is too light will damage the bow and will not be covered under warranty by 3Rivers Archery or bow manufacturer.
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