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Author Topic: Eskimo Bone Arrows  (Read 3925 times)

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Offline JMcCauley

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Eskimo Bone Arrows
« on: November 29, 2011, 02:02:49 am »
I saw the other thread regarding bone arrows and would like to address some of the concerns people expressed there.
Eskimos occasionally used bone arrows, but not when give a choice.
The bone arrows I've heard about were caribou bone and not always round.
The femurs would just be split and fletched and sometimes fitted with an arrowhead.
Someone said that you would need a 28 inch bone for this. I think if you compared your arms to those of an Eskimo like myself, you would see why that isn't the case. Like many Asian cultures, the eskimo are a small, and rather stocky people who often replace draw length with draw weight. I am rather tall for an Eskimo, being mostly Irish and only part eskimo, at 5'10", yet my draw is only 24 inches at best.
If anyone has any additional info on bone arrows or knows where to acquire some caribou bones please let me know because I would like to experiment with bone arrows.
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Offline burchett.donald

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2011, 10:55:58 am »
  Interesting subject. They also wore extremely heavy and bulky clothing that could restrict their draw. I seldom wonder what the American Indians did in extreme weather shooting. A bulky sleeve even under an armgaurd is a problem and is loud also. So they would have to make some type of adjustments that would give them changes in draw length, bow weight, spine and whatever. I have always been fascinated since I was a young boy with the American Indians and hold the highest respect for them.
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Offline JackCrafty

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2011, 01:05:54 pm »
One of my favorite pictures...

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Patrick Blank
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Offline JackCrafty

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2011, 01:09:58 pm »
Another favorite.  Notice that in both pictures the arrows are compound types, with foreshaft--probably bone.
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Any critter tastes good with enough butter on it.

Patrick Blank
Midland, Texas
Youtube: JackCrafty, Allergic Hobbit, Patrick Blank

Where's Rock? Public Waterways, Road Cuts, Landscape Supply, Knap-Ins.
How to Cook It?  200° for 24hrs then 275° to 500° for 4hrs (depending on type), Cool for 12hr

Offline Merlit

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #4 on: November 29, 2011, 01:19:00 pm »
No wonder the bear went down with an arrow in the balls  :o
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Offline JackCrafty

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #5 on: November 29, 2011, 01:20:39 pm »
 ;D
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Any critter tastes good with enough butter on it.

Patrick Blank
Midland, Texas
Youtube: JackCrafty, Allergic Hobbit, Patrick Blank

Where's Rock? Public Waterways, Road Cuts, Landscape Supply, Knap-Ins.
How to Cook It?  200° for 24hrs then 275° to 500° for 4hrs (depending on type), Cool for 12hr

Offline crooketarrow

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #6 on: November 29, 2011, 01:25:29 pm »
  ALSOME PIC'S.
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Offline bowtarist

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #7 on: November 29, 2011, 05:06:16 pm »
That's funny Merlit.  ;D
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Offline Gus

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2011, 05:18:09 pm »
I'm betting that arrah in the bolls is a, "Hey Bear, are you dead?" shot...
Sure wouldn't want that to be my first shot on a Ghost Bear.

 :)

-gus
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Offline mullet

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2011, 09:42:45 pm »
Actually it was probably the first shot. There was an article quite a few years ago in Traditional Bowhunter about a Polar bear hunt. The first shot with a long bow was about 85 yds, hit in the back hip. the next was a shoulder shot at around 80yds, the last two were killing shots around 35 yds. the guy had practiced those long shots for over a year as he was going to hunt with Inuiit guides on frozen ocean and no cover to stalk. The bears would run as soon as they saw you.
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Offline JMcCauley

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2011, 08:38:53 am »
I really admire the ability of the Eskimo to maximize the potential of the resources available to them. Bow making wood is scarce up there yet they still managed to make effective bows. Their system of cordage backing is genius. They were pretty well suited for their climate though, thanks to my Eskimo forefathers I roast like a turkey in the Texas summer. I'd like to try making some Eskimo style arrows, does anyone know specifics about their flintknapping or fletching techniques?
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Offline Sparrow

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Re: Eskimo Bone Arrows
« Reply #11 on: December 02, 2011, 07:05:47 pm »
In that 1st picture,notice the placement of the two chest shots ? An old Inuit guy told me that often bears were shot or lanced in the chest when they were standing up, bayed by sled dogs and close up. Those arrows look that way to me,the one in the baloneys mighta just got his attention. Would me !  '  Frank
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Frank (The Sparrow) Pataha, Washington
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