Making Indian Hunting Bows
- 1). Cut a hickory sapling between seven and eight feet and whittle it down to the appropriate dimensions for a bow. Make sure to whittle in a shelf for the arrow rest so that it can easily accommodate an arrow at full draw.
- 2). Dry the bow in a warm place for a period of six to eight weeks. This will increase the life of the bow. Never use green wood for a bow because it will quickly warp and lose its strength once it is bent to a bowstring.
- 3). Cut notches at the top and bottom of the bow to allow the loops of the bowstring to easily fit on. These notches should be no more than a 1/4 inch deep so that the string is secure but still draws easily when it is time to go into the field.
- 4). Sand and varnish the bow so that it will be water resistant. This will prevent cracking so that the bow can be used for years to come.
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