Have Osage Orange, a couple kinds of locust, elms, willows, hickories... all in the way. There is always someone home on the farm. You guys can have all the material you care to harvest. We'll even knock them down and buck them for you if it will get people here using the wood...

Was in the lower mid 70s yesterday, going down into the 30s tonight. Should already be in the 70s to low 80s consistently.

What saws do I need to ensure are up and running? Table saw? Band saw? Just chainsaws? Chainsaw powered mill? The bigger logs are going to be used for lumber anyway...

Nah. The kill is a bit anti-climatic. Making a bow that shoots well is the thrilling part.  And the turkey/shrimp kabobs!

That hollow coyote that's holding those arrows was killed on the first day of the first season I dedicated to hunting with a woodbow. Got him about 15 minutes after shooting a bobcat that I saw and lip-squeeked to within 6 yards. I was wondering how close they get before they spring onto you! Coulda shot the coyote's brother who came to the same spot a couple minutes later, but passed him up, cuz I was down to one arrow at 7:30 on opening day of deer season. A few minutes later I realized I shoulda shot him, too, cuz there wadn't no way I was gonna get a shot at a deer with that many dead critters laying around.  

that is style i was going to make but last minute changed to the one I did build. Next one I am going to make that style probably soon toon.

Hmmm all the osage and hickory that is real tempting

Don't get mad at me now, but, I've been checking out bowyers on youtube lately.
Found a fella "Backyardbowyer" making bows outta schedule 40 pvc! has had one for 3 years that is still at 80lbs of pull 28" draw.
Watched him make a 100lb. pull crossbow today using a fir board and pvc... very neat.
I guess he started experimenting for a survivalist type of thing.... he does both wood and pvc bows...very talented.
LOL I figure I can't go wrong if I at least give ONE  PVC bow a try.......
I still will have to watch the string making procedures over and over until I learn to measure and twist correctly.
All in all not bad for about $15 bucks and 45 minutes of time...

Here is one link:



Here is a 50lb 28" draw take down (2 piece) bow

if you are checking out guys on youtube check out boarriarbows and primitivepathways they are both very good at making and explaining bowmaking.

the guy from primitivepathways was on a tv show called i cave man dont think it ever aired buy was group of guys and gals reality show starting with nothing and only allowed to use tools in cave man times. They were actually able to down a bull elk with stick spears and attle (spelling on that one?)

They guy with the pvc stuff really really needs to wear breathing protection heating pvc gives very bad fumes.

Hey pickle im up for a savage ride and a bowmaking jamborie!!!

Ill bring some american holly staves with no knots they very hard to find

I'm looking forward to making my first bow.... I will keep watching all the video's on "how to" and who prefers what woods and the processes they use.
So far I've seen:
Hand sawed and split, formed with the drawing knife.
Chopping your own and forming a "plank" using saws and sanders
Using existing lumber from Lowe's or Home Depot
Using PVC piping
And only one from a guy who does his own fiberglass. (too involved for me).
All the end products work, some take TONS of skill and time.
Truth be told, i'll chop my tree... and store it for a couple years.
In the mean time i'll try a few of the "quick" methods... maybe learn a bit  more about wood grains and flow...
LOL, I've always loved to work with wood and the smell of it after it has been chipped, cut, sawed or sanded.
I'll come up to see you guys and participate in your "bow class" , sounds like I can learn a lot from ya'll.
But for now... I'm going to build me a back flash and a "capture box" to practice with my 45# recurve I have had since I was 12 years old.

So should I oil or wax my recurve? I have been lightly oiling it over the years, but it looks kind of splotchy in the pictures as if the finish is finally getting worn spots or oxidation?