How to Make Bow and Arrow for Hunting: A DIY Job
The earliest bows and arrows were not made from any sort of high-tech material but from nature itself. In this article we will show you exactly how to make bow and arrow for hunting.
Ancient bows and arrows were mainly made with the help of raw materials like wood from many different trees, including ash, cedar, oak, hickory, birches, etc.
There is some evidence of the local Americans using the antlers and bones from certain animals to make their bows and arrows. Some of them used to be caribou and elk antlers, mountain sheep horns, bison ribs, and horns.
These days though, it’s an entirely different ball game, and we no longer need these materials to make our bows and arrows for hunting which we can make in the comfort of our own home.
Yes, you heard that correctly.
Of course, you could really make your own bows and arrows at home. However, we have indeed come to a time where modern bows and arrows run the show and are super comfortable to use.
But one must remember that hunters did not have modern bows and arrows back in the day, which made them come up with their own DIY bows and arrows.
If they could do it back then, there is no reason that you can’t do it now. We will guide you at length on how to make bows and arrows for hunting, so you will be able to become a natural in no time.
So with that being said, we won’t keep you waiting any longer. Let’s jump right into how to make a homemade bow and arrow.
Read More: When hunting, carbon arrows are important for you to consider. Check out the best carbon arrows for hunting here.
How to Make Bow and Arrow for Hunting
How to Make a Bow for Hunting
A bow is a simple weapon, basically, a stick with a string stretched between the ends. The bow does not fire an arrow; it simply holds the string ready for release. When the string is released, it pushes against the arrow and accelerates it quickly out of the bow and toward its target.
There are various types of bows that can be made from different materials with various characteristics. So, the type of bow you choose is entirely up to you. It depends on your present situation and what kind of game you are hunting.
The steps we have listed below will help you make your own bow:
Step 1: First off, you want to get hold of the best quality of wood which you can get. Woods like oak, maple, etc., are deemed hardwoods and will be just perfect. Soft woods won’t do the job as they tend to break easily. An eight-inch tree would be the ideal diameter.
Step 2: Now you need to cut and divide the tree, and with an eight-inch tree, you could make at least seven bow staves. You must cut off at least six inches; like the wood, there might be some cracks.
Step 3: Now you have to let the wood dry, which may take about a month or a year as well. You can buy a moisture meter to keep track of how your wood is progressing.
Step 4: Once your wood has dried, you must debark your wood with a drawknife, and you have to carve the shape of the bow’s broadside.
Step 5: Then you can give your wood a refined shape and look with the help of a drawknife.
Step 6: Now lay down your bow in a flat position, and with the help of a drawknife, you have to taper the sides of the limbs.
Step 7: After this, a chainsaw file will be needed to create string grooves at a 45-degree angle on the outside of both tips, and you must leave half an inch between each end.
Step 8: Buff up the tips and edges while also making sure the front and back surfaces are smoothened. After this, you need to hold one end of the bow against the ground and put some pressure on the top, which will help create a slight bend known as floor tillering that is useful in identifying any cracks on the front. If some shots do appear then you might have to replace that wood with a new piece.
Step 9: Now you have to check how flexible your bow is by making a tillering tree. First, 5 inches from the top, you must make a horizontal notch with the help of a Skilsaw and do it until you make it to 30 inches.
Step 10: Now you have to string the bow with a parachute cord on top of the tree and bring down the string to about 28 inches, making a full draw. If you don’t find an even bend, then you must trim the side where the bend is not desirable.
Step 11: To create a slight bend in the bow, you shorten the parachute cord. The side of the bow, which is a bit stiffer, will be your lower limb. Now that you know where your lower limb is, you can now create a small dent above the handle to the right or left.
Step 12: Now you just have to sand and some finishing touches to the bow. Again, a dark stain is very helpful as it makes it very hard for the animals to have a peek.
Step 13: When your bow has been stained, dried, and sealed, you must wrap a hemp cord around the 5 inches of the handle and put some light coat of glue and then let it dry.
Step 14: You can make your last bowstring with a new length of B-50 bowstring material.
How to Make an Arrow for Hunting
Arrows are a delicate bunch that is used as a tool for hunting and protection. While making your own arrow, you have to give extra attention to the finest of details. The making of an arrow is not the most challenging part, but assembling all its features is the tricky,. It bit.
Follow the instructions below to make your down arrow:
Step 1: First off, you must pick an arrow stick, tricky, and you can go for either a Mullen or goldenrod. After this, you have to turn your choice of wood into sticks, and they must be straight. Finally, make sure your arrow has a measurement half as that of a bow.
Step 2: Now you have to shape your arrow, and this is a crucial step as this is where the wood will be trimmed and smoothened around the arrow, and you can heat the shaft over coals. Do not burn the wood, and remember to cool the arrow by holding it in a straight position.
Step 3: After you have given your arrow the ideal shape, you must now sharpen the front of the wood with the help of a knife and make it harder with fire. You can also attach a metal arrowhead or a stone arrowhead, and with the help of a notch and string, you can put it on the tip of the arrow.
Step 4: Now you can choose or not choose to add fletchings to your arrow. This one is not necessary but certainly would take your arrow to the next level. Fletchings are a fantastic addition to an arrow as they help in enhancing the flight of the arrow.
Learn More: When it comes to arrowheads and hunting big game, you may be confused. Check here to learn what is the only arrowhead used to hunt big game.
FAQs
Why is it necessary to heat up the arrows?
You must heat your arrow because heating it helps harden; it the arrow point, which allows them to pierce more deeply into the animals. Another reason for heating up your arrow is that it helps it become more robust, durable, and dry.
What is the ideal thickness of a bow?
The ideal thickness of a bow really depends on the wood that you have chosen, it depends on its nature and also your skills and liking. The only thing you need to be aware of while determining its ideal thickness is that it will snap in no time if it is too thin. On the other hand, if you make your bow too thick, you risk the full potential of flight of your arrows, and the flight may be reduced.
Final Thoughts
We hope that our in-depth guide on how to make bow and arrow for hunting will help you make your own homemade bows and arrows. Just make sure you follow all the instructions correctly.
