When I think of Bear Archery, I think, history meets innovation. The company has brilliantly embraced its deep archery and bowhunting roots — the brand is more than 90 years old — while pegging the technology needle in the ever-competitive compound bow space. The brand itself embodies a heritage feel and vibe, which most consumers recognize and can connect with, but its bows are technologically current and can stand up next to the market’s finest.

Last year, Bear Archery launched the Persist. If you read my bow report about it in Archery Business’ November/December 2023 issue, perhaps you recall that I showered it with accolades. (Click here to read the review.) And rightly so, as it aces most categories from which a consumer could measure up a high-end hunting bow. A single bow model cannot possibly please every single archer, and bowhunters with the longest draw lengths or those who demand as much stability as possible were the only ones who the 31-inch Persist narrowly missed.

Good news: For 2025, Bear Archery has launched the Persist 33. Aptly named, this 33-inch model squashes the qualms that long-draw archers and those demanding the next level of stability may have had with the original Persist. Prior to the product launch to the public, I had the opportunity to test and evaluate the Persist 33. Following are some points I believe make it a bow your customers should consider.

Test Bow Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Length: 33 inches
• Brace Height: 6.25 inches
• Draw Length: 28 inches
• Draw Weight: 70.9 pounds 
• Let-off: 75-90% (tested at 80%)
• Bow-only Weight: 5.1 pounds 
• Accessorized Total Weight: 6.1 pounds (including sight, rest and front stabilizer)
• Velocity: 274 fps (with 468-grain Easton 6.5mm Acu-Carbon 340 arrow); 279 fps (with 456-grain CX Maxima Triad 350 arrow); 282 fps (with 441-grain Victory VAP SS 350 arrow)
• Kinetic Energy: 78.04 foot-pounds (Easton); 78.84 foot-pounds (CX); 77.89 foot-pounds (Victory)
• Test-Bow Finish: Olive
• MSRP: $1,249
• Contact: www.beararchery.com

The Riser

Just like the 31-inch Persist, the 33’s intricate riser geometry looks stunning while delivering benchmark rigidity and balance and stability that you have to feel to appreciate. Other key riser details also abound and contribute to the end-user experience. Both riser ends are rigged with In-Riser Dampeners located near the limb pockets to minimize limb-generated vibrations. Near the Integrated Sight Rail and the conventional sight mount, you’ll find a level, which helps when setting up a sight with second- and third-axis adjustability. This is called Align Lock Technology, and to my knowledge, no other bow has anything like it.

A rear-facing stabilizer mount located approximately halfway between the grip and the limbs accommodates a stabilizer or other weight accessories for those seeking advanced balance customization. The riser shelf is outfitted with Bear’s Silent Shelf. While it silences arrow contact to a degree and is certainly better than exposed metal, I believe the rubber used to construct the shelf could be softer or more gel-like to truly mute arrow contact. It’s a great design, but a quieter material would improve it.

As I mentioned before, the riser features the Integrated Sight Rail, which allows users to choose a sight without a conventional mounting bracket, equaling fewer parts and pieces, and also lightening up the bow’s overall accessorized mass weight. While I believe this mounting system is superior to conventional mounting, I gave Trophy Ridge’s Swift Trio sight a whirl, meaning I didn’t utilize the Integrated Sight Rail. I did, however, utilize the IMS rest mount with Trophy Ridge’s Propel IMS limb-driven rest. The pairing of these accessories with the Persist 33 yielded excellent accuracy. More on that later.

Back this year is the pull-up rope loop, which is tailored for treestand hunters. It is attached to the riser and fed through the upper limb pocket for easy access. It’s a small detail that streamlines the task of pulling a bow up to a treestand. Similarly, the wrist sling feeds through the riser beneath the grip and can be adjusted and locked down with a set screw.

Smooth, Powerful and Customizable 

The Persist 33 harnesses the performance of Bear Archery’s proven EKO Cam System. Not only does it unleash velocities that are neck and neck with today’s other flagship bows, but it does it with unbelievable smoothness. The EKO Cam is also user-adjustable for draw length and let-off so every shooter can land on a fit and feel that works for them individually. 

I shot the test bow at 70.9 pounds with the let-off set to 80%. The draw cycle is phenomenal; it’s nice and smooth all the way through with nice transitions from peak to valley and valley to back wall. By the way, the back wall is rock solid, thanks to stops located on both cams. Not only is the bow easy to draw back, but it lets down smoothly and easily, too, which is critical during situations when an animal doesn’t read the script once you hit full draw. 

The Linear Tuning Roller (LTR) also harmonizes with the EKO Cam to reduce friction in the draw cycle. Another function of the LTR is its adjustability. Dealers and end-users alike can adjust the cable load and vane clearance in order to achieve true arrow flight. Etched reference marks provide a gauge for users to track adjustments.

On the Range

Just like the 31-inch Persist, the 33 was one of the easiest bows to sight in that I’ve tested. And while the 31 shot accurately during last year’s test, I immediately noticed the additional stability that the 33 delivers. The extra 2 inches make a difference you can feel, and the string angle makes anchor-point acquisition easier and more comfortable. From comfort and stability standpoints, those who don’t mind the 33-inch axle-to-axle length will be well-pleased with the Persist 33. 

When settling in with a brand new bow, it isn’t uncommon to have variable group sizes, but I found my groups — regardless of yardage — to be consistently tight right out of the gate. It is nothing to shoot three arrow groups the size of a golf ball at 30 yards and a tennis ball at 50 yards. 

The Headhunter Contraband string and cables are worth highlighting. Peep orientation remained true from when I set up the Persist 33 until I completed the test. As well, there were no variations in tune or accuracy due to any creep or settling. This is a high-quality bowstring and cable set that your customers can count on in the demands of the hunt.

Speaking of the bowstring, protruding from the riser is a string stop with a rubber cushion that halts the bowstring to decrease oscillation and mute vibrations. Just like the rendition featured on the Persist 31, the cushion isn’t statically fixed to the mounting rod. Instead, the metal barrel that the string cushion attaches to is lined with rubber, creating a push-to-fit connection with the carbon rod. The result is extra cushion at the shot, which quickly thwarts vibrations. It’s also rigged with Killer Wave Limb Dampeners. The Persist 33 has a small amount of hand shock, but it isn’t great enough to equal a make-or-break buying decision.

Final Thoughts

The Persist 33 and other high-end Bear bows come with two grips. The one that comes attached to the bow isn’t the best fit for me, though archers with larger hands might find it ideal. The second grip is slimmer and more square, making it ideal for the low-wrist gripping style.

Rigging up a Bear bow with Trophy Ridge accessories is like a match made in heaven. Everything works together so well. The Swift Trio sight comes with pre-generated sight tapes for different arrow velocities, and for those who like to practice at long distances, these sight tapes are accurate out to and beyond 100 yards. I chose the sight tape closest to my arrow velocity, and it was on out to 100 yards.

The Persist 33 is made in the USA by a company with more than 90 years in this business. As I said in my opener, hearing the words “Bear Archery” makes me think of the phrase, “history meets innovation.” If someone asked me to sum up the Persist 33 with a phrase, I’d likely say “balance and stability perfected.” If those phrases aren’t enough to get your customer’s attention, perhaps a few test arrows through the Persist 33 will. 

Additional Notes: The Persist 33 was set up using a Last Chance Archery EZ Green Bow Press and EZ Green Bow Vise, and the draw weight was calculated using Last Chance Archery’s Digital Bow Scale. A Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph measured the arrow velocities. Other products used were Easton’s Nock and D-Loop Pliers and Pro Hex Fold-Up Allen Set. Arrows were weighed on Last Chance Archery’s Pro Grain Scale.

In-the-field photos by Becca McDougal