Bear Archery Alaskan XT RTH Compound Bow Review

The Bear Alaskan XT is Bear Archery’s answer to a simple request: one bow that is fast enough for elk country, forgiving enough for nervous shots and ready to hunt the day it arrives. With a 335 fps IBO rating, a 33-inch axle-to-axle frame and a 6.25-inch brace height, the Bear Alaskan XT RTH sits right in the middle of what most hunters actually need.

This review covers the full Bear Alaskan XT specs, how the DHC-XR cam behaves, what the Ready To Hunt package typically includes, and who should buy it. We also compare it with Bear’s other RTH options, including the Species XT RTH and the Whitetail Maxx, so you can pick the right Bear Alaskan compound bow for the way you hunt.

Bear Alaskan XT Specs at a Glance

Here are the verified numbers for the Bear Alaskan XT RTH compound bow. Retailers list it as a 2024 model, and a 2025 RTH listing also exists, so you will see both years in stores and online.

Two numbers explain most of this bow’s personality. The 33-inch axle-to-axle length gives a steady sight picture without becoming awkward in a blind, and the 6.25-inch brace height adds forgiveness compared with the short-brace speed bows that chase higher IBO ratings.

Design Philosophy: Built for Hunters, Not Spec Sheets

The Bear Alaskan XT does not try to win a speed contest. It aims to be the bow you reach for every season because it simply works. That means a length that balances well, a brace height that hides small form mistakes and a weight you will not resent on a long walk in.

The name hints at the target customer. Alaska means long hikes, cold mornings, big animals and shots that might come after hours of sitting still. A bow for those conditions has to be dependable first and flashy second. The Alaskan XT follows that thinking: a straightforward cam, a sensible frame length and an accessory package that gets you hunting quickly.

The Alaskan XT RTH Package: What “Ready To Hunt” Means

RTH stands for Ready To Hunt. Bear RTH packages are typically fitted with a sight, an arrow rest, a quiver, a stabilizer, a peep sight and a D-loop. Instead of buying each piece separately and paying a shop to install it, you get a matched setup in one box.

The package is a real time saver for new bowhunters, but it is also a smart choice for experienced shooters who want a backup bow or a second rig for a family member. You still need arrows, broadheads, a release and practice points. At Better Outdoors we recommend getting the bow tuned at a pro shop even when the accessories come pre-mounted, because peep height and rest timing depend on your draw length and anchor.

Plenty of hunters eventually upgrade one or two RTH parts. The most common swaps are a single-pin slider sight for longer western shots and a drop-away arrow rest for extra clearance with fixed-blade broadheads.

Bear Alaskan XT Performance: Speed, Draw Cycle and Let-Off

A 335 fps IBO rating puts the Bear Alaskan XT in solid hunting-bow territory. IBO speeds are measured under a fixed standard (a 30-inch draw, 70-pound draw weight and a light 350-grain arrow), so your real arrow speed will be lower if you shoot a shorter draw, a lighter weight or a heavier hunting arrow. That is normal for every bow on the market.

The DHC-XR Cam System

The DHC-XR cam is the engine of the Alaskan XT. Bear designed it to deliver usable speed without a harsh, jerky draw. You can expect a draw cycle that builds weight steadily and then settles into the valley, where the 80% let-off reduces the holding weight to a manageable fraction of peak.

That 80% let-off is a deliberate choice. Some bows offer higher let-off, which feels easier to hold, but a slightly firmer back wall and more holding weight help many archers stay solid through the shot instead of creeping forward. For hunters who may hold at full draw while an animal steps clear, 80% is a comfortable middle ground.

Choosing 45–60 lb or 55–70 lb

Pick the range based on what you can draw smoothly while seated, cold and tired, not what you can muscle back in a warm shop.

Not sure how much energy your setup will produce? Run your draw weight, draw length and arrow weight through our calculator to see whether you are in the right range for your target species.

Try the free Kinetic Energy & Momentum CalculatorSee if your setup has the energy for your game.

Built for Ethical Big-Game Hunting

Ethical hunting comes down to placing a sharp broadhead in the vitals with enough energy to pass through. The Bear Alaskan XT gives you the tools for both. The higher draw weight option pairs well with heavier arrows for penetration, and the forgiving brace height helps keep arrows where you aim when your heart is pounding.

For elk and other large animals, many hunters pair the 55–70 lb version with a heavier arrow and a durable fixed-blade or hybrid broadhead. For deer, either range works well. Whatever you choose, practice with the exact arrow and broadhead you will hunt with, and confirm that broadheads group with field points before the season.

Riser Construction and Durability

The Alaskan XT is built around a rigid riser designed to handle hunting abuse: bumps against tree bark, cold mornings, truck rides and the occasional drop. A stiff riser also helps the bow return to the same position on every shot, which matters more for accuracy than most people realize.

At 3.5 pounds bare, the bow stays light without feeling flimsy. Add the RTH accessories and it naturally gets heavier, but it still carries comfortably. A good bow sling makes long hikes even easier and frees your hands for glassing and climbing.

Accuracy and Forgiveness in Real Conditions

Hunting shots rarely look like range shots. You may be twisted in a treestand, kneeling behind brush or shooting on a steep angle with cold hands. Forgiveness is what keeps a small mistake from turning into a miss.

Three features help the Bear Alaskan XT here:

• 6.25-inch brace height: the arrow spends less time on the string, so minor torque has less effect.
• 33-inch axle-to-axle: a longer frame tends to hold steadier on target than very short bows.
• 80% let-off: enough relief to hold through a long wait, with a firm feel at full draw.

Forgiveness does not replace practice, though. Shoot from your hunting positions, at realistic distances and in your hunting clothes. A quality broadhead target lets you confirm point-of-impact with the heads you will actually carry.

Versatility Across Hunting Styles

Because it sits in the middle of the length and speed spectrum, the Alaskan XT handles most hunting styles well.

Bear Alaskan XT vs Species XT RTH and Other Bear Bows

Bear sells several ready-to-hunt compound bows, and shoppers often compare the Alaskan XT with the Species XT RTH. Both are Bear RTH packages aimed at hunters who want a complete setup without building one piece by piece. The Species line is usually positioned as an approachable all-around option, while the Alaskan XT leans toward a longer, steadier frame with a forgiving brace height for big-game hunting. If you are deciding between the Bear Species XT RTH and the Alaskan XT, hold both if you can and compare how they feel at full draw, then check current specs on each.

If you mainly hunt whitetails from a stand or blind, the shorter Bear Whitetail Maxx RTH is worth a look. If you prefer to build your own setup around a bare bow, read our Bear Persist review. The Better Outdoors bow finder can also narrow the field based on your draw length, budget and game.

Try the free Bow Finder QuizSix questions to match you with the right bow.

Bear Alaskan XT Review: Pros and Cons

Maintenance and Long-Term Use

A ready-to-hunt bow still needs regular care. Keep these habits and your Alaskan XT will stay accurate for years:

1. Wax the string and cables every few weeks of shooting, and more often in dry or dusty conditions.
2. Check screws on the sight, rest, quiver and stabilizer before each hunt. Vibration loosens them over time.
3. Inspect the string for fraying, separated strands or a peep that has rotated.
4. Never dry-fire. Shooting without an arrow can damage the cams, limbs and string.
5. Store it in a case, away from heat. A padded compound bow case protects the sight and cams in the truck.

Plan on new strings and cables every couple of seasons depending on how much you shoot, and let a pro shop check cam timing at the same time.

Our Verdict on the Bear Alaskan XT

Final Thoughts

If you want a bow that shows up ready, shoots forgivingly and handles anything from whitetails to elk, the Bear Alaskan XT deserves a spot on your shortlist. It will not top the speed charts, but it gives you the things that fill tags: a steady frame, a forgiving brace height and a simple setup. Confirm the accessories for the model year you are buying, get it tuned, and spend your time practicing instead of building a bow from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions