Discover an entirely new experience when it comes to archery by learning how to make your very own hickory or hackberry longbow. Making a traditional longbow is a talent that encapsulates so many areas of outdoor skills. From identifying and understanding types of wood and how they bend, too working with tools and understanding a bow design and layout. You will experience archery at its foundation level. With experienced bowyers by your side and a 1:6 student ratio, you will craft a beautiful – fully functional work of art. No previous experience needed when it comes to working with wood or tools. Starting with a seasoned bow stave, you will learn all about: 

• Selecting the perfect tree for making a bow
• Harvesting, splitting, seasoning & storing your new stave
• Using drawknives for bark removal & obtaining a growth ring
• Laying out a bow design for maximum performance
• Using wood rasps & files for efficient tillering
• Scraping, sanding, burnishing & oiling your bow for a beautiful finish
• Making your own custom handle wrap & bow string

Students will spend two back to back weekends working together throughout the day and into the evenings if needed. Methodically and skillfully you will explore a wooden stave, as you slowly obtain a bow from within it. In addition, each student will be shown which arrows work best for their bows. A skill that is often overlooked when it comes to being a proficient archer. Then after, we will explore the world of learning to shoot your new bow using instinctive and intuitive archery techniques. 

It’s going to be an incredible class, filled with laughs, stories, experiences of discovery, as well as excitement. All culminating in a one of a kind traditional longbow built by you, for you. Don’t miss this once a year opportunity to get back to our roots as humans, connect to the forest, gain a sense of awareness and appreciation for trees and feel a sense of awe as being one of the only beings on the planet to propel an object away from you in order to make change take place in another location. 

This is a very focused and hands-on class that can be physically demanding at moments of the process. Students should expect to work from early morning and late into the afternoon each day. There will be plenty of breaks for coffee, snacks as well as lunches. Students are also free to go and shoot bows and arrows during their breaks as well as before and after sundown.