Bear’s new Whitetail Maxx offers an impressive list of features and very solid performance from a bow that costs less than $600.
October 29, 2024
By Jon E. Silks
Standing firm on the legacy left by company founder Fred Bear, the “Father of Modern Bowhunting,” Bear Archery strives to keep moving the sport forward by building bows that make archery accessible and affordable to all. Bear’s new-for-2024 Whitetail Maxx is the perfect example of this mission — a get-it-done rig with a price tag reminiscent of bow catalogs from 25 years ago.
Part of the company’s Legend Series, the Whitetail Maxx features the same EKO Cam found on the flagship Persist, along with Bear Muscle split limbs, composite limb pockets, Caged Maxx riser and contoured grip with side plates. In addition to the parallel position of the limbs at full draw, shock and vibration are minimized with KillerWave limb dampeners, a rubber-tipped string stop and four rubber string dampeners.
Power Plant Bear outfits the Whitetail Maxx with the EKO dual-cam system advertised to generate ATA arrow speeds reaching 339 fps. Cams are machined from aluminum and use rotating modules to span the 26-30-inch draw-length range, in half-inch increments. A chart in the manual will guide you to the correct draw-stop and module settings that are clearly engraved on the base cam and module, to achieve a customized fit. Letoff settings of 75, 80, 85 and 90 percent are available, and no bow press is needed for either draw-length or letoff adjustments. These adjustments will not impact peak draw weight or cam timing. The three-track system employs Headhunter 452X string and cables.
Done With Flare You might expect a plain, no frills riser on a bow with a price tag less than $600, but that is definitely not what you get with the Whitetail Maxx. Not only does the Caged Maxx Riser display some intricate structural bridging and webbing, but as the name implies, it employs cages both top and bottom. These structures are designed to create strength and rigidity, providing a shooting platform that is capable of consistency and in turn, downrange accuracy. Standard mounting holes are drilled and tapped for the arrow rest, bowsight and front and rear stabilizer-mounting holes. The aluminum riser is reflex in configuration and built through casting as a first step and then machined to finish.
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Bear contours the handle to a size and angle that, along with the rubber side plates, creates a comfortable grip that produces a neutral wrist position. The Whitetail Maxx is compatible with the company’s Bear Paw soft grip. The cable-containment system uses a carbon rod with a quad-roller slide — one for each cable and two that contact the rod to minimize friction and increase efficiency. Finally, a riser-mounted, rubber-tipped string stop tames the string for less vibration and noise.
Limbs and Cups Bear’s Muscle Limbs measure approximately 11.375 inches long and are split, meaning there are four individual pieces rather than two. Split limbs eliminate the structural vulnerabilities of a solid limb, found around the limb bolt and cams. Limbs are molded in-house using a proprietary material and matched into pairs based on the deflection values of each piece. Two draw-weight options are available; 45-60 pounds and 55-70 pounds. Bear’s KillerWave Limb Dampeners are press-fit between the Whitetail Maxx’s split limbs. Nearly parallel at rest, the Muscle Limbs move beyond parallel at full draw. Limbs that are parallel or past parallel are known to significantly reduce shock and vibration. A set of composite limb pockets are employed to ensure limbs are aligned to the riser at this critical interface.
At the Range The Whitetail Maxx has a somewhat aggressive draw cycle that features a dip in the plateau and a buildup just before the breakover into a valley that allows you to relax at full draw. At the shot, a moderate jump in the handle is felt, followed by vibration that is both very low and short lived — hardly detectable. Shot noise levels were average, and the bow was steady on the bull’s-eye; no fight needed to keep it there. After the shot, the top kicks back a short distance before slowly falling away on follow-through. The grip’s narrow, flat back aids in positioning and produces a neutral wrist position and average comfort. For the price, you can’t go wrong with this bow!
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The Specs Manufacturer: Bear Archery, 800-694-9494; beararchery.com Model: Whitetail MaxxRiser: Cast/machined aluminum, reflexGrip: Rubber side plates, neutral wrist positionLimbs: Bear Muscle split limbsDraw Weights: 60 or 70 pounds peak, each with 15 pounds of downward adjustabilityDraw Lengths: 26–30 inches, in half-inch increments; rotating modulesCam System: EKO Dual CamLetoff: Adjustable, 75, 80, 85 and 90 percent; 85.2 percent (as tested)String: Headhunter, 452X, 59.65 inchesCables (x2): Headhunter, 452X, 35.125 inchesBrace Height: 6.5 inchesAxle-to-Axle Length: 31 inchesWeight: 3.8 pounds (advertised); 4.03 pounds (as tested)Finish: Olive, Stone and many other optionsAdvertised ATA Speed: 339 fpsMSRP: $599.99Comments: A get-it-done hunting bow with a seriously small price tag!EDITOR’S NOTE: All of our Bow Tests are conducted using the same standardized procedures and professionally calibrated testing equipment. Bows are tested with a draw length of 29 inches and a draw weight of 65 pounds, unless otherwise noted. Speed & Energy Arrow Speed: 305 fps (375-grain arrow), 287 fps (425-grain arrow)Kinetic Energy: 77.5 ft./lbs. (375-grain arrow), 77.75 ft./lbs. (425-grain arrow)Dynamic Efficiency: 84.8% (375-grain arrow), 85.1% (425-grain arrow)Average Noise Level: 91.2 dBA (375-grain arrow), 89.6 dBA (425-grain arrow)
