For the past six years I have been privileged enough to host and teach a bow making clinic at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.
I have a couple co instructors and we host on average 15 participants.
On the first night: They learn about archery history in North America. Then they learn about the varieties of trees that can make bows, how to cut and procure them, and some design tips.
They are exposed to the tillering process and tool care/sharpening. Finally the fun starts. We choose staves and lay out the bow. Everyone starts with hickory and we make a pyramidal design chin height for each participant. Finally, I encourage them to eat a good breakfast for tomorrow, before I dismiss them.
First full day: They begin hacking away with hatchets. We do all of our work with hand tools. Hatchet work is followed by draw knifing. Once the front profile is more or less established, we layout the side profile on both sides. We cut kerf marks and split off large chunks of wood from the belly. This saves time and effort!
A few folks have their bow at floor tiller shortly after noon but most are there by day’s end. That is when the sore and tired hands and shoulders begin to bark out their complaints. So I send them home with the promise they will earn more tomorrow.
Day two now they learn tillering and string making. We joke about a bucket of water to dunk our heads into when we: get impatient.
As participants finished to their desired draw length and weight I called out the success. The others all clapped and cheered.
This is a well-received class. Many of the past participants have gone on to make more bows. I love the satisfaction of passing on this skill and knowing that not only that folks make more bows, but they go on to hunt with them. Some of them hunting for the first time. That is exciting.
