Bear Archery Persist Compound Bow: Specs and Review

The Bear Persist is a compact, fast hunting compound that earns its place through adjustability rather than gimmicks. If you searched “bear persist bow” or “bear archery persist” because you want straight answers on specs, speed and how it compares with the newer Persist 33, this is the page. We have corrected the numbers that older reviews (including our own earlier version) got wrong, so everything below comes from the verified spec sheet.

In short: the Persist packs a 340 fps IBO rating into a 31-inch frame and lets you choose from four let-off settings. That combination makes it a flexible bow for whitetail hunters, and its bigger sibling, the Persist 33, covers archers who want more length and a longer draw. Let’s break both down.

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The Philosophy Behind the Bear Persist

Bear Archery has long built bows for people who actually hunt with them. The Persist follows that thinking: a short, maneuverable platform with enough speed to flatten trajectory, plus settings that let you tune the bow to your body rather than forcing your form to fit the bow.

Three ideas run through the design:

• Compact handling. At 31 inches axle to axle, the Bear Persist 31 swings easily in a treestand or ground blind.
• Usable speed. A 340 fps IBO rating puts it firmly in modern hunting-bow territory.
• Personal fit. Four let-off choices and two draw weight ranges let you shape how the bow feels at full draw.

It is not a target bow dressed up for hunting. It is a hunting bow that happens to be easy to tune.

Bear Persist Specs at a Glance

Older articles listed the Persist at 34 inches, a 7-inch brace and a specific mass weight. Those numbers are wrong. Here are the verified Bear Persist 31 specifications:

A 6.5-inch brace height is on the moderate side for a 340 fps bow. Shorter braces generally add speed but can be less forgiving of grip and release errors. At 6.5 inches, the Persist strikes a middle ground that most hunters will find manageable.

Design and Build Quality

The Persist follows a familiar modern compound layout: a rigid riser, split limbs and a cam system built to deliver speed from a short frame. Rather than repeat marketing language, here is what the geometry means for you:

• Short axle-to-axle helps in tight cover and keeps the bow from catching on branches or blind walls.
• Compact bows can feel lively in the hand, so a good stabilizer and a relaxed grip matter more here than on a long target bow.
• The grip is the contact point that decides torque. If you have a strong preference for grip shape, read our guide to the Bear bow grip and wrist angle before you buy.

Handle the bow in a shop before you commit. Feel at full draw tells you more than any spec line.

Draw Cycle: Smooth Where It Counts

Draw cycle is where the four let-off options earn their keep. Let-off is the percentage of peak draw weight that drops away at full draw. Higher let-off means less weight to hold while you aim.

There is a trade-off. Very high let-off can make some archers creep forward at full draw or lose back tension, because there is so little weight to pull against. Many hunters land on 80 or 85 percent. Try more than one setting if your dealer can switch it for you.

Accuracy That Builds Confidence

No bow is accurate on its own. Accuracy comes from a correctly fitted bow, a tuned arrow and repeatable form. The Persist gives you a solid base:

• Moderate brace height gives a bit of forgiveness for grip and release inconsistencies.
• Adjustable let-off lets you find a holding weight that keeps your pin steady.
• High IBO speed flattens trajectory, which reduces the cost of misjudging yardage.

Remember that IBO speed is measured under a standard test setup that most hunters don’t match. Your real speed depends on your draw length, draw weight and arrow weight. To estimate what your Persist will actually shoot, use the calculator below.

Try the free Arrow Speed CalculatorTurn an IBO rating into your real-world FPS.

Adjustability: Where the Persist Shines

A 25" to 30" draw length range covers a wide slice of adult archers, and two limb options let you pick a weight band that suits your strength and the game you hunt.

Choosing a Draw Weight Range

• 45–60 lb: newer archers, shooters with shoulder concerns, and many women and teens moving up to an adult bow. Plenty for whitetail with a well-built arrow.
• 55–70 lb: experienced hunters, elk or bigger game, and anyone who wants maximum arrow energy.

If you are between ranges, the lighter limbs are usually the better call. A bow you can draw smoothly while sitting in the cold beats a heavier bow you have to wrestle back.

Getting Draw Length Right

Measure your wingspan and divide by 2.5 for a starting number, then confirm by shooting. If your draw is longer than 30 inches, the Persist 31 won’t fit you, and you should look at the Persist 33 instead. Always follow Bear’s draw length chart for your specific cam, change both cams to matching positions, and let a pro shop handle anything that needs a bow press.

Field Performance vs Range Use

The Persist is built with the field in mind, but it is perfectly happy at the range.

If most of your shooting is long-range target work, a longer bow may feel steadier. That is exactly where the Persist 33 comes in.

Bear Persist vs Persist 33

Bear added the Persist 33 for 2025. Many shoppers searching “bear archery persist 33” or “bear persist 33 review” want to know whether the extra length is worth it. Here are the verified numbers side by side:

Who Should Pick the Persist 31

• Treestand and blind hunters who value maneuverability
• Archers with a draw length of 25 to 30 inches
• Shooters who want the slightly more forgiving 6.5" brace

Who Should Pick the Persist 33

• Archers with a longer draw, up to 30.5 inches
• Western and spot-and-stalk hunters who take longer shots
• Anyone who prefers the steadier sight picture a longer bow often provides

Speed is effectively a wash, and both share the same draw weight options. The real decision is length, brace height and draw length range.

Comparing the Persist to Other Bear Archery Models

Bear’s line-up spans ready-to-hunt packages and higher-end bare bows. The Persist sits on the performance side, with more adjustability than most budget packages.

• Bear Alaskan XT RTH: a ready-to-hunt package aimed at hunters who want everything in one box. See our Bear Alaskan XT RTH review for how it stacks up.
• Bear Whitetail Maxx RTH: another package bow built for simplicity and value.
• Outside Bear: if you are shopping for a younger or smaller archer, our Mathews Prima Level 1 Package review covers a bow built for that shooter.

At Better Outdoors we suggest choosing on fit first, features second and brand third. A Persist that fits you will outshoot a fancier bow that doesn’t.

Bear Persist Pros and Cons (Real Talk)

Recommended Setup for Best Results

A fast compact bow rewards good accessories. Here is a sensible hunting build:

1. Rest: a drop-away rest for clean arrow flight and fletching clearance.
2. Sight: a multi-pin or single-pin slider with bright fiber pins for low light.
3. Stabilizer: a hunting-length front bar to calm the short frame.
4. Release: a wrist-strap index release or handheld release that you practice with year-round.
5. Arrows: spined correctly for your draw weight and length, with a total weight suited to your game.

Pick up a drop-away arrow rest and a 5-pin hunting sight to start, then add a hunting stabilizer once you are shooting consistently.

Price and Long-Term Value

Pricing varies by retailer, finish and season, so check current price with your local Bear dealer or online before you buy. When you compare, factor in what you will spend on a rest, sight, stabilizer, release and arrows, if you are buying the bow bare rather than as a package.

Long-term value comes from adjustability. Because you can change let-off and choose a draw weight band, the Persist can follow you as your form improves and your hunting changes. That flexibility is worth more than a few extra feet per second.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Bear Persist?

Buy the Bear Persist 31 if you hunt from stands or blinds, have a draw length of 30 inches or less, and want a fast bow you can fine-tune to your own holding preference. Choose the Persist 33 if you have a longer draw or want a longer, steadier platform for open-country shots. Not sure which one fits? Run through the Better Outdoors bow finder before you shop.

FAQs: Bear Persist Compound Bow