Yep. Campfires are my preferred method because they burn nice and even if they are made right. I run the bow back and forth several times a few inches above the highest flames so that it doesn't scorch but does let the wood get nice and hot, so hot to where you eventually have to put it down to cool cause it starts to get too hot to hold. Then after I have heated the entire bow evenly, I run it quickly through direct flame a couple times so that it begins to turn the belly a smoky brown color. You want to do this kind of fast, or else you will burn the belly black. It's best to do it fast, but repeatedly. Watch closely, VERY closely, check the color of the belly after each run-through to ensure you aren't getting it too dark. Once the entire belly has been treated this way, I usually GENTLY flex the bow SLIGHTLY backwards (only an inch or two), so as to induce a slight reflex, let cool and you're done. It's best to wait a couple days to shoot a bow after doing this to it, but I have been known to shoot them the next day with no problems. But I never shoot a bow the same day. It needs to sleep on its new shape and rest back up before you string it.
Alternative methods do exist, and alternative heat sources as well. Such as, stove top burners. Electric ones will work, but most have the coiled ring heating elements that tend to not want to heat evenly (uneven heat patterns appear on your bow) and you can't touch the bow with them or they scorch in a fraction of a second and you get black marks all over your bow. If you are going to use a stovetop, gas burners are best.
Good luck,
CP
