I got into archery hunting about 4 yrs ago with a compound bow. Loved switching away from rifle hunting, especially in WA. Finally killed my first bull elk last Sept with my bow. All 3 of my sons (ages 10, 12 and 14) also have compound bows (and fly rods and shotguns etc). Yes, our family loves to hunt and fish and I've been very fortunate to have three great sons who have a deep love of the outdoors. They even got their mom bird hunting and fly fishing over the last couple years!
That being said, for whatever reason, the boys started trying to make their own self bows out of whatever small trees or large branches they could find near our home. Not sure where it all came from, but after several months, I decided I better find a better way for them to build a bow. Soon, they had 3 yellowheart, bamboo backed longbow kits along with a doz wooden arrows each, from Tom Turgeon at Boise Bows and Arrows, under the Christmas tree.
Since Christmas, we have begun building their first bamboo backed longbows (the first of MANY self made bows I'm sure).
After gluing up the riser, belly wood and bamboo backing, the stave was cut out following the edges of the pre-trimmed bamboo.
This was done at a friend's shop and then the laminated staves were brought home to shape. This of course required us to build a large work area for the four of us to build bows in the garage.
Soon an older entertainment center that broke down to two stackable sections were seperated and topped with two layers of plywood for "work tables".
One table top was lower (for the younger two boys) and one higher (for my oldest son and I). After a couple bench vises clamped on, we were ready to begin work on the staves with the #50 rasp.
The shaping of the staves began
When I said, "Jumping in with both feet", I meant it. We have signed up for our subscriptions to Primitive Archer and Traditional Bowhunter, began reading Howard Hill's "Hunting the Hard Way" book at night, watched just about every YouTube video on traditional archery and bow making out there, and were recently able to meet and spend some time with Jay St Charles (son of Glenn St Charles - founder of the Pope and Young Book and Club) out at his bow making shop in Fall City, WA all while just starting out on this new journey into all things traditional and primitive archery.
Meeting Jay and spending time with him in his shop has been the highlight so far.
Here, Jay shows my boys how to use a draw knife on an osage stave, explaining how to stay within one grow ring.
Soon, he let them all have a chance to feel what a draw knife is like on an unseasoned yew billet
Jay explaining the fine points of tillering
Lastly Jay let them touch, hold and finally SHOOT classic yew longbows for the very first time in their lives. To say they were HOOKED at this point, is the under statement of the year.
My boys and I love the idea of the history and tradition and romance behind it and now can't seem to get their new longbows finished quickly enough. Spring turkey hunting is coming in April and the boys can't imagine going after longbeards this year with anything but their self made longbows. Note: I have a feeling the turkeys may be a tad safer, at least this year for sure! But for us, the kill is not nearly as important as the tradition and experience of the hunt itself. (Although we'd love to get some more wild turkey feathers for making our own arrow fletchings!)
Realizing that we needed certain traditional archery accessories, we all decided if we be cool to MAKE our own quivers and arm guards, starting with the arm guards. After a trip to McPhearson's Leather store in Seattle, we were soon back in our home "shop" designing and creating our own leather arm guards.
My middle son with arm guard and deer antler bottle opener they made as well
My youngest son showing off his finished arm guard.
I know this is a very pic heavy, long first post but I thought it was a good way to introduce myself and let you all know that we are very excited to have finally started on this life long journey into traditional/primitive archery. Basically, we're "jumping in with both feet!" and ooking forward to learning tons from Primitive Archer and all of you experienced bowyers on this forum! Here's to all the fun adventures of 2012.
