Traditional Archery

[Robin]

To those that refuse to substitute technology for hunting ability. A love for the outdoors and a more traditional way of experiencing it have led me down a road less taken and definitely not as crowded.

 

[Robin]

Old pictures and I was never much for recording things, but I hope some here will get the idea. Many no longer even know about this kind of hunting or even archery in general because there is no commercial push for it, but many like me quietly enjoy ourselves, our world.
Robin

 

[NirvanaFan]

I'd love to try out traditional archery some day. My grandfather used to make recurve bows and sell them back before compound bows became popular. Unfortunately, he passed when I was still in high school and I never asked him about them. I believe my Uncle still has a bow or two of his. Hopefully I end up with them some day.

Robin, did you make those bows and arrows? (I believe I saw you did in another post.) Any tips for someone that is thinking about getting into it? I've got access to as much maple, oak, and ash as I need.

 

[Robin]

Yes I did. Maple and ash can be made into good bows but Osage orange and Hickory would be better. Ash works very well but make sure it is either the white or red variety. If you can, cut them, split then out into staves and store them in a place to dry, it would help to sticker them so they don't dare too bad, this year so they will be ready when you are.
Maclura pomifera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This shows the fruit of the osage, it is commonly found as hedge rows, and lining old dirt roads and lanes.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Yes I did. Maple and ash can be made into good bows but Osage orange and Hickory would be better. Ash works very well but make sure it is either the white or red variety. If you can, cut them, split then out into staves and store them in a place to dry, it would help to sticker them so they don't dare too bad, this year so they will be ready when you are.
Maclura pomifera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This shows the fruit of the osage, it is commonly found as hedge rows, and lining old dirt roads and lanes.

Thanks! Unfortunately, we have no osage. We do have some hickory, although we try not to cut them up too much. The wildlife loves them. The ash we have is white. Maybe I'll harvest a bunch of it to make staves the next time I'm down there. Might as well get some use out of it before the ash borers get to it.

 

[Robin]

Yep, and it dries fast too. It makes great arrows as well. As the English bowmen used to say, ash, it hits with good stripe!
Robin

 

[Bushmaster]

That is some cool looking stuff you made, Very nice!