ERC for indian bows?

[simson]

My friend Erwin has donted a nice ERC stave to me. It is 52 long, cross section is triangular with a bit of a crown with still one or two layers sap on.  At the crown it is about 2“ wide. Some knots are avoidable, a big one not.
I did some searching for indian bows made out of ERC – but didn't find anything. Some west coast bows are made out of juniper, but I assume not from ERC. I'm searching for an indian design/style suitable for my ERC stave.
So can anybody point me in the right direction? Where in North America does ERC grow?

[Josh B]

ERC grows in the eastern half of the US.  I don't know of any Native American bows made from it.  That's not to say it wasn't done, just that I haven't seen any examples.  ERC is a juniper so if you should decide to make a west coast sinew backed paddle bow, it should do well in that design.  I wish I could be of more help.  Josh

[Pat B]

I agree, treat it like any other juniper and build a Plains or Western style bow. We all know you will do a fantastic job no matter what, Simon. 

[JonW]

I can't recall the exact source but some southeastern US natives used ERC with a sinew backing. I remember seeing a video of a guy reproducing the process.

[Pat B]

Are you sure it was in the SE US, Jon? sinew backed bows are not very practical in the humid Southeast.

[JonW]

I'm sure the guy was from Georgia. Are you familiar with the video "Full Circle" ?  I want to say that is where I am getting my info Pat.

I will add that I can't say for certain the guy was representing a specific region or locale. I just remember he was from somewhere in the southeast and showed how the stave was "plucked" or "wedged" from a live tree by taking it from the trunk without cutting it down. I will go back and try to find my video and re-watch it.

[Pat B]

Is it Thad Beckum?  I thought you were talking about the SE Indians using sinew on bows.

[JonW]

I think that is correct Pat. Again I will say I may be mixing up information. My "sometimers" kicks in once in a while and I don't always remember what I remember

[Perkinator]

What does ERC stand for?

[GB]

ERC= Eastern Red Cedar.

[mullet]

I've made some nice shooting bows in the Eastern Woodland bow style. I've never heard or seen pictures of a SE native bow that was sinew backed.

[IndianGuy]

I've seen and own a old Kiowa bow of ERC it has no sinew backing and has alot of set. If you sinew back the bow it could work.
E

[JonW]

I went and watched the video. I will correct myself by saying the bow he made was not necessarily representative of a SE native peoples. It was an all sapwood sinew backed ERC bow though. You are right Pat it is Thad Beckum.

[21st century archer]

Here is a Huron bow made of decrowned eastern red cedar. I have also seen some Ojibwa bows made from cedar.

[Perkinator]

ERC= Eastern Red Cedar.

Thanks GB!