Bows, Arrows & Archery
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Bow Making: Self Bows
This completely hands-on workshop will
take you through the entire progression of building your very own self-bow.
Beginning
with a bark-on hickory stave you will learn what to look for when selecting
your materials, and different options on how to remove the bark. You will then
take your stave down to a ring, lay it out, file, scrape and sand it down and
you go through the full tillering process, file in your nocks and make your
own string. And provided Mother Nature co-operates, you'll even have the opportunity
to practice shooting your new bow on the final day!
We will
also discuss the best woods to use for bows, how to cut and season your
own staves, and the differences between long-term and survival bows.
Over the course of these
four days you will build your own hunting-weight
hickory bow that does not suffer from "stack" or hand-shock.
A beautiful piece of functional art!
A process that must be experienced to be understood, there is nothing that
can compare with holding in your hands a bow that you have transformed from
a simple piece of wood into a dynamic extension of yourself. So come on out and
let's build some bows!
››Bow staves are provided and included in the workshop tuition.
›› CHECK
THIS OUT!
Student
Comments: Read what past students of this workshop have
to say
| March 16-19 | Great Meadows, NJ | $385 | ›› Sorry, This workshop is
now Full. ‹‹ (If you wish to be placed on the Waiting List to be notified should a space come available, send us an e-mail.) |
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Introduction to Bow-making
If the thought of building
a bow for the first time is a little overwhelming,
or if you don't have the time to start with a full stave (or the money
to buy one that has to be shipped across the country) then check
out our 2-day Introduction to Bow-making weekend.
You'll
build your bow from materials available at any lumber yard,
and discover a great way to start developing your eye for tillering and
the fundamentals of bow construction without having to spend the extra
cash on staves.
This workhop will focus on the principles of bow design
and performance, layout and tillering, and will cover the concepts of
how to "back" your bow for strength or durability.
You'll leave on Sunday with a shooting "board bow" of around 40
lbs — stout enought to hunt with — and all the knowledge and hands-on
experience you need to make your next one at home.
This is also an excellent
workshop for Scout troop leaders and others who work with kids groups!
›› This workshop is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered.‹‹
Survival Bows: 3 Bows in 3 Days
Most long-term bows are made from wood that has been seasoned for many months, but in a survival situation, or one where you have no modern tools, how would you build a bow? Learn multiple effective methods for building expedient survival bows that are fast, effective, and can be easily made using nothing but stone tools and Stone Age technologies.
You will build three bows in three days, ready-to-shoot and
yours to take home with you.
Advanced Bow Making: Recurves, Bamboo- and Sinew-backed Bows
If you have ever wanted to learn how to make a Recurve bow, how a Bamboo-backed bow is made, or why Sinew-backing a bow improves it's performance, this class has your answers. Starting with a blank stave, you will build your own long bow, then complete it with your choice of one of the above three methods. Go beyond the simple self bow and learn how improve performance, and create a true hunting weapon that you will cherish for years to come. Snake skin, rawhide, and other bow backing options will also be covered, as we combine the best of modern and primitive technologies as they relate to the Art of the Bowyer.
All materials are provided.
›› This workshop is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered.‹‹
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Arrows: Harvesting, Curing & Straightening Shafts
Without a well-made arrow, the best bow is virtually worthless, and a well-made arrow starts with the selection and harvesting of the right shaft. Learn how to identify, select and process a wide range of arrow shaft materials, as well as how to cure and straighten them into top-knotch arrows, and how to choose and make the ideal nock-style for your needs. You'll also discover the secrets to fine tuning your arrows in order to make them work perfectly with your bow. An in-depth day that will take both your knowledge and your hands-on experience with crafting arrows to a whole new level.
| February 25, 2012 | Great Meadows, NJ | $95 | Register Now! |
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Arrows: Points, Hafting & Fletching
The right arrows can make all the difference when shooting your bow, and no arrows are going to be as perfect for you as the ones that you have made yourself. Learn to make steel "trade" points, bone points, and bludgeons for small game, as well as how to properly secure them to a shaft. Feather-work and the Art of Fletching will also be covered, using several different methods. You will create your own funtional works of art, worthy of taking game.
| February 26, 2012 | Great Meadows, NJ | $95 | Register Now! |
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Survival Arrows
In a Survival-type situation you don't have the time to allow your arrow shafts to dry and cure for many months. This workshop will show you how to find, harvest and fashion arrows quicky, that will work effectively with your Survival Bow. You will learn various materials that can be used for fletching when feathers are not available, discover different options when a knapped arrow point is not to be found, and how to get around the paradox of how haft your point without having to process a deer for the sinew first!
›› This workshop is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered.‹‹
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Archery Fundamentals
Have you learned how to make bows, but still need to develop accuracy and proficiency in your shooting? This is the class you have been waiting for. Learn the proper manner in which to select, match, and tune your equipment so that it becomes an extension of your own body. To ensure you learn the essentials of proper form, as well as how to develop accuracy while shooting instinctively, you will participate in a variety of shooting situations, including simulated hunting scenarios.
Equipment will be provided, although students are encouraged to bring their own equipment, if available.
›› CHECK
THIS OUT!
The Video: If you're
wondering what you can learn in just a couple of days, see what our student
Matt, who had never shot a real bow before, was able
to accomplish before lunch on Day 2!
Student Comments: Read what past students of
this workshop have to say.
Shooting the Longbow
This one-day workshop is a condensed version of Archery Fundamentals.
Here, we will focus on developing proper form & accuracy in shooting, working
at realistic hunting ranges and in true-to-life hunting scenarios. You'll
also learn techniques you can use to continue your improvement when you get home,
as well as how to tune your own equipment to get the best possible performance
each and every time.
Equipment will be provided.
›› CHECK
THIS OUT!
The
Video: Students with virtually no shooting experience just
wanted to learn to hit the target. See how much MORE they could accomplish
by the end of the day!
Student Comments: Read
what past students of this workshop have to say.