Guest Post: How to make a survival bow and arrows!

1. How to make a survival bow and arrow

Hello, my friend and welcome back! Today I want to talk about a skill that is essential for any long-term survival in the wilderness, which is how to make a bow and arrow. Any successful hunter needs good tools to catch his prey. But how will you eat if you don’t have a gun, bow, or any other hunting weapon? Grab a cup of coffee and take a seat while we discuss how to make a rudimentary bow and arrow that will save your life.

HOW TO MAKE A SURVIVAL BOW AND ARROW

Bows and arrows have been around for at least 11,000 years, and even to this day, they continue to be a weapon of choice for many hunters. Their stealthiness makes them ideal to kill a prey without scaring away surrounding animals. But why would you want to build a bow and arrow? After all, there are plenty of excellent firearms and even highly-modern bows and arrows that use technology like a rangefinder for bow hunting.

Well, it only takes a few bad turns to get lost in a forest, so if you don’t carry any weapons with you because you weren’t there to hunt, then you better have a plan on how to improvise them. Here’s a proven method that you can use to make a rudimentary bow and arrows.

MAKING THE BOW

1. The first step in making a bow is finding a good branch of wood that is flexible, but at the same time, it can contract back to its initial position. Traditionally, bows are made out of quality woods like yew or elm. But being in the middle of the forest you’ll have to make the best with what you have. So find a thin branch that is about as thick as your pinky finger and snap it to see if it contracts back to its original shape. If it does, then you got yourself your bow.
2. Take a bigger branch from the same type of tree. It should be thicker at the middle, and then gradually become thinner at both ends. Take a knife and cut off any leaves or branches, and scrap the bark from it until all that’s left is a clean piece of wood.
3. Mark the middle of your branch with your knife. This is where you will put the handle. Then, use your knife to slowly shape the side of the bow that will face towards you, carefully removing thin strips but avoiding taking off any wood from the side that faces away from you. Doing so can compromise the bow’s strength and make it crack when you draw it.

    

4. Stop frequently to test your bow. Put one end of the bow in the ground and gently push the other end down to see if both limbs are bending equally. If one side is bending less than the other, you must keep taking wood from it until they even out.
5. Once you’re are sure that both limbs are bending equally, cut two incisions into each end of the bow’s limbs. Here is where you will tie your bowstring, so the should be pointing towards the center of the bow and be deep enough so that the string won’t slip out. But be careful of cutting them too deep or you might end splintering your bow when you draw it.

   6. Making the bow’s string is much more simple. All you need to do is find a cordage that is strong so that it won’t stretch or break under pressure. Perennial plants like dogbane contain fibers that are ideal to hold the tension created when you draw the bow. Tie your cord to one end of the bow and then to the other, making sure that there is about 10-12 cm separation between your cord and the bow.

   MAKING THE ARROWS

   1. Find straight branches from any tree available. Clear any knots, leaves or branches from it and use your knife to scrape the bark from it. Give one end a slight taper, while at the same time using your knife to make a notch on the other side that is wide and big enough for your bow string. Make sure that the arrows are completely straight. Use fire and pressure to straighten any part that looks bent.
   2. To make the arrow head you could take a piece of steel, sharpened stone, or even a piece of bone. Make a notch in the forward point of your arrow and fix your arrowhead using natural cordage. If you can’t find anything to make an arrowhead, then sharpen the point of your arrow and put it over a fire without letting it burn too much.
      3. Lastly, you’ll need to make the fletchings that will stabilize your arrow during its flight. Feathers are the best option, but if you can’t find them, you could use leaves or another type of material that resembled a feather’s shape. Just remember that fletchings must resemble one another, or your arrow will have a hard time reaching its target.

         Well, there you have it. You now know how to make a survival bow and arrows. But before you run to the nearest forest with nothing on you but your pocket knife and a box of matches, you might want to consider practicing this skill a lot of times. Making a good bow and arrow takes plenty of experience, but it’s a skill that is well worth mastering. I hope you enjoyed this blog. Until next time, stay safe, stay strong, and stay prepared! God Bless America

         -Sarge-

          

         Author Bio:
         Kevin Steffey is an avid hunter and freelance writer. He loves spending time in the field with his rifle more than almost anything else and occupies his off-time discussing deer and their habits online. He is a founder at www.deerhuntingfield.com