K:Let me make it clear. I would not think of making a bow in the wild unless I had at least made a couple at home. The whole kit and caboodle. Arrows points,strings and tools.
Me: OK, now we are getting to a noteworthy point.
While it is possible to make a serviceable bow and arrow kit, in the wild, it's not to be taken lightly. This is not going to be territory an "average guy" should ever consider once he already faced with tryingto save his own hide? no? He would be wasting precious time trying to fabricate something that quite possibly isn't going to work without some prior experience. he needs to become interested and get educated well beforehand, and it will take a measured amount of dedication.
K:You need this to understand how to get the most out of that tree trunk bow you are going to make. This bow will be a dog. It will be heavy,fairly hard to be precise with and shake in your hand like your old aunt Minny when you shoot it.
ME: AT home it's no problem. I could make wooden springs for an amish buggy using wooden laminations, so, I'd use that knowledge to fashion a pre-curved laminated monster bow.
I am a king of overkill. In the wild, my bow isn't going to be much of anything. In fact, at this juncture, I'm thinking that snares, a gig, and some "man eater" traps are going to be time and effort better spent, that's just for me, personally, and I'm not trying to make this about me, but something for everyone to look at and think about.
ME: oh also, "Man Eaters" is what we called Boobytraps that were designed to kill or seriously maim bad guys. sharpened whips and such. Very dangerous and only for absolute survival/warfare.
K:Arrows are of primary importance. Again I would have made dozens at home before trying to make some in the bush. Selecting straightening pointing,nocking and fletching them will take you a coon's age unless you know what you are doing.
ME: SO, again, without fairly extensive prior knowledge, Joe Average shouldn't wait until stranded out doors to start making arrows.
K:I would not think of hunting with a primitive bow unless I thought I could get to within 30 feet of a deer.
ME: And, that is a lot easier said than done. Getting within 30 feet of a deer. So, enter some good old fashioned hunting fieldcraft.
Oh, also, I had already written off deer for a novice, thinking that squirrel or rabbit would be a better choice for trying their new craft.
K: I would have my woodland skills in general at a high level. It doesn't give you much downtime to make arrows if you are shivering trying to stay warm at night.
ME: Yes, to my previous point, Joe Average is gonnah ave his hands full keeping his fire going, building shelter, collecting water and trying to figure out how the heck he is gonna get rescued.
K:If you were in that poor shape with an unfamiliar bow you wouldn't have much of a chance.
ME: So, without a good deal of practical knowledge of bows making, arrow making, and general hunting/stalking, again, it's going to be select group of "practiced" individuals that are going to be able to do this with enough effect so as to put food on the table.
K: I do not know about taking paracord apart and using it. Definitely this is a try at home before you find out it breaks on your second shot with your last arrow on your only shot at a deer.
ME: I think it's do-able, and the cordage would hold up. The great thig about 550 cord is the inner cordage. If you only have a 5 foot peice with you, and you have to build a shelter, you can strip out the inner pieces, and use it to fasten your structure together.
OK, Kevin, thanks for all of the info. Anyone interested in looking into using a Bow and Arrow has a lot of good info to work with here in this thread.
Don't think my resposnes were intended to kill the spirit of bow making and it's possibilties as a respectable way to put some serious meat on the table while braving the elements. It can obviously be done.
However, for those who may be thinking it is viable, for them personally, it appears that you/we will have to put our nose to the grindstone, and learn the craft, of both making and using, as it is not goingto come overnight, or with relative ease. No pain, no gain.
thanks Kev ,
hope I got my thoughts in without offending or being seen as a naysayer or buzzkiller.
Me: OK, now we are getting to a noteworthy point.
While it is possible to make a serviceable bow and arrow kit, in the wild, it's not to be taken lightly. This is not going to be territory an "average guy" should ever consider once he already faced with tryingto save his own hide? no? He would be wasting precious time trying to fabricate something that quite possibly isn't going to work without some prior experience. he needs to become interested and get educated well beforehand, and it will take a measured amount of dedication.
K:You need this to understand how to get the most out of that tree trunk bow you are going to make. This bow will be a dog. It will be heavy,fairly hard to be precise with and shake in your hand like your old aunt Minny when you shoot it.
ME: AT home it's no problem. I could make wooden springs for an amish buggy using wooden laminations, so, I'd use that knowledge to fashion a pre-curved laminated monster bow.
I am a king of overkill. In the wild, my bow isn't going to be much of anything. In fact, at this juncture, I'm thinking that snares, a gig, and some "man eater" traps are going to be time and effort better spent, that's just for me, personally, and I'm not trying to make this about me, but something for everyone to look at and think about.ME: oh also, "Man Eaters" is what we called Boobytraps that were designed to kill or seriously maim bad guys. sharpened whips and such. Very dangerous and only for absolute survival/warfare.
K:Arrows are of primary importance. Again I would have made dozens at home before trying to make some in the bush. Selecting straightening pointing,nocking and fletching them will take you a coon's age unless you know what you are doing.
ME: SO, again, without fairly extensive prior knowledge, Joe Average shouldn't wait until stranded out doors to start making arrows.
K:I would not think of hunting with a primitive bow unless I thought I could get to within 30 feet of a deer.
ME: And, that is a lot easier said than done. Getting within 30 feet of a deer. So, enter some good old fashioned hunting fieldcraft.
Oh, also, I had already written off deer for a novice, thinking that squirrel or rabbit would be a better choice for trying their new craft.
K: I would have my woodland skills in general at a high level. It doesn't give you much downtime to make arrows if you are shivering trying to stay warm at night.
ME: Yes, to my previous point, Joe Average is gonnah ave his hands full keeping his fire going, building shelter, collecting water and trying to figure out how the heck he is gonna get rescued.
K:If you were in that poor shape with an unfamiliar bow you wouldn't have much of a chance.
ME: So, without a good deal of practical knowledge of bows making, arrow making, and general hunting/stalking, again, it's going to be select group of "practiced" individuals that are going to be able to do this with enough effect so as to put food on the table.
K: I do not know about taking paracord apart and using it. Definitely this is a try at home before you find out it breaks on your second shot with your last arrow on your only shot at a deer.
ME: I think it's do-able, and the cordage would hold up. The great thig about 550 cord is the inner cordage. If you only have a 5 foot peice with you, and you have to build a shelter, you can strip out the inner pieces, and use it to fasten your structure together.
OK, Kevin, thanks for all of the info. Anyone interested in looking into using a Bow and Arrow has a lot of good info to work with here in this thread.
Don't think my resposnes were intended to kill the spirit of bow making and it's possibilties as a respectable way to put some serious meat on the table while braving the elements. It can obviously be done.
However, for those who may be thinking it is viable, for them personally, it appears that you/we will have to put our nose to the grindstone, and learn the craft, of both making and using, as it is not goingto come overnight, or with relative ease. No pain, no gain.
thanks Kev ,
hope I got my thoughts in without offending or being seen as a naysayer or buzzkiller.
) just about anywhere.
Anyway I have made bows with knot holes all the way through the limb and bows with cracks in them too.
Kevin has good advise in using "white wood" for learnin.:thumbup: I too remeber post on another thread(prolly by Kevin) that it doesn't hurt to make 36" kids bows for learnin. This way you can make all the beginner mistakes you want without feelin like you wasted a good stave. All the principals apply and the neighbor kids will think that you are the coolest:thumbup: 
