Sinew backed Juniper replica bow

While getting reacquainted with this site, I noticed this hunting forum so thought I'd post a little video of the most recent bow I made.

While I no longer hunt and have little knowledge of modern archery, I do have a fascination with prehistoric bows and their vernacular architecture. This one is fashioned after those collected in Southern California during the 19th century. It's ~40" long, made from the branch of a Juniper tree... the handle and recurves wrapped with buckskin. Made the string from elk sinew and the glue from sinew scraps. The black pigment on the tips is charcoal. I used no man-made materials. The materials are the same used prehistorically. 100%. Shoots nicely but needs retillered.

Yrs ago, my aspirations were to don a loincloth, go into the wilds and make a bow with stone tools I made... then shoot dinner. Someday. Maybe. For now, I'm content building them at home and flinging arrows through the air... mostly clothed.

With another lesson in humility, and the utmost respect for the indigenous people...

That is... just beautiful! How does it shoot? In my limited knowledge, I'd gotten the idea a bow HAD to be long for accuracy. My klutzy self might could carry one of these with out snagging it everything within 10 feet of me.
Do you have a link to a simple and reliable tutorial? I'd love to see the process. Though as a project, it would be waaay down the list.

Joylynn Hardesty wrote:That is... just beautiful! How does it shoot? In my limited knowledge, I'd gotten the idea a bow HAD to be long for accuracy. My klutzy self might could carry one of these with out snagging it everything within 10 feet of me.
Do you have a link to a simple and reliable tutorial? I'd love to see the process. Though as a project, it would be waaay down the list.

Thank you, Joylynn.

My experience with longer bows is limited. However, they certainly feel different... easier to shoot which probably means easier to shoot accurately.

As strange as it may sound, I've never really "target" practiced with any of my replica bows. I just find a style that appeals to me then try to replicate as close as I can, not caring about my draw length or the pounds (never measured how strong any of my bows are) then find open spaces and start flinging arrows. I do like the way this one shoots compared to my other bows though. Feels smooth.

Sorry but I don't have a link to a tutorial. I can tell you though, a sinew backed bow like this is quite the process... a labor of love, lessons in humility, and probably the cause of a couple gray hairs...