Hunitng bows?

[Kegan]

Up until now, I have always put a quiet strike plate and a dark stain on any bow that would be taken hunting. But I've run out of walnuts for stain, and wondered if a hunting bow really needs it? I don't think all of the Native Americans stained their bows- or did they? 

[DanaM]

I don't think a dark stain is necessary Kegan, more important is a non shiny finish and be still,
most prey species especially deer are keyed to movement ifin ya don't move they don't see
ya. Try charcoal if your out of walnut hulls.

[Justin Snyder]

I dislike real dark as it is to easy to see the outline, especially if it moves.  Justin

[jape]

I'm new to bow-hunting but not to hunting. This year I have been stalking foxes, kangaroos, wallabies and one or two feral cats in local bush (not to shoot all of them, that is illegal here) for practice and recreation. Without fail, they sensed final movement of the bow and I felt sure the bow stick coming up, stained black, was part of that - so I broke it up with grey streaks and it works much better. I can lift it to aim at twenty metres and they watch but don't jump.

I know from experience too that simple grey-streaked camo works much better at dawn/dusk than black, so I would reckon you could just dull down and break up the outline of your bows. Charcoal would do that as suggested or you can leave wire-wool in vinegar for a good dye.

[Jesse]

I argee with Justin. Dark is no good and movement is no good. I find that you should keep the bow up and ready so when you draw the animal doesn't see the bow come up or down. Thats more important than any camo. Jesse

[Pat B]

Kegan, I am finishing up a HHB bow. I used bear grease and ground charcoal for a finish. On whitewoods(I have used it on hickory), the charcoal gets into the grain of the wood and makes for a nice coloration. Ash would probably take the stain well also as would other whitewoods.
   Something maybe not quite primitive enough for you is Rit Dye. dissolved in alcohol it makes a good transparent wood stain. Lots of groovy colors too!      Pat

[Kegan]

Thanks everyone! I have a 64" elm bow in the works, and didn't know how to finish it for up-close stalking. Charcoal and deer fat sounds good for this one . Thanks!

[DanaM]

Kegan here is a the elm bow I finished with charcoal and lard. I like it looks good and seals well.


http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,5592.0.html

[jamie]

a buddy of mine did his with black walnut but rather than the whole bow he splattered it across the bow and it gave an excellent natural camo look to it

[Justin Snyder]

Jamie, I would think you would just fill your mouth with charcoal and blow/spit it all over the bow like a primitive air brush.  That is how they did some of the cave paintings.  Justin

[Coo-wah-chobee]

Jamie, I would think you would just fill your mouth with charcoal and blow/spit it all over the bow like a primitive air brush.  That is how they did some of the cave paintings.  Justin

     Prove it Justin I wanna SEE pics ! .........bob

[Justin Snyder]

You want to see pictures of the aboriginal that still do it? Because I am not filling my mouth with ash.  Justin

[huntertrapper]

bacon fat works good for the finsh to seal from water. but that charcoal sounds like a very good idea for blending in. i know its good to cover the face while huntin.

[DanaM]

Its also good for cookin ribs

[1/2primitive]

Yes, I think the breaking up of the solid bow color is more important than making it dark. However, if you can match the colors of your bow to those of the woods you'll be hunting in, color might be to your advantage....
     Sean