Bow Making
There’s nothing like the first time you draw a bow you made yourself. In this course, you’ll select a stave from the forest and craft it—using primitive and modern tools—into a functional hunting bow. You’ll study draw strength, tillering, stringing, and bow design as both science and art. Taught by seasoned instructors under Michael Douglas’s mentorship.
This is a 5-Day program taking place 9/27/25 to 10/1/25.
Further details below
There’s nothing like the first time you draw a bow you made yourself. In this course, you’ll select a stave from the forest and craft it—using primitive and modern tools—into a functional hunting bow. You’ll study draw strength, tillering, stringing, and bow design as both science and art. Taught by seasoned instructors under Michael Douglas’s mentorship.
This is a 5-Day program taking place 9/27/25 to 10/1/25.
Further details below
There’s nothing like the first time you draw a bow you made yourself. In this course, you’ll select a stave from the forest and craft it—using primitive and modern tools—into a functional hunting bow. You’ll study draw strength, tillering, stringing, and bow design as both science and art. Taught by seasoned instructors under Michael Douglas’s mentorship.
This is a 5-Day program taking place 9/27/25 to 10/1/25.
Further details below
Bow Making Course Details
Shape wood. Sharpen focus. Craft something that holds power.
This course is more than wood and string—it’s a return to capability, precision, and presence. From selecting a stave in the forest to drawing back your finished bow for the first time, you’ll step into a lineage of makers who shaped their survival tools from the land itself.
Taught by skilled instructors with deep knowledge of both primitive and modern woodworking, this hands-on course walks you through each phase of the bow-making process. You’ll learn to read the wood, listen to the grain, and refine your own skill and patience along the way.
Whether you’re a seasoned craftsperson or picking up the draw knife for the first time, this experience offers more than a tool—it offers a transformation. You’ll leave with a functional hunting bow and the confidence to create another.
Evenings include focused talks on bow design, draw strength, tillering, and the science behind a well-balanced, high-performing bow.
Phase 1: From Forest to Stave
Tree and wood species identification for bow building
Selecting, harvesting, and preparing your stave
Understanding wood grain, tension, and compression
Tools of the craft: draw knives, rasps, hatchets, and scrapers
Phase 2: Roughing Out the Bow
Layout design: flatbow, longbow, or personalized hybrid
Defining handle, limbs, and tapers
Proper dimensions, thickness, and limb symmetry
Removing excess wood without violating the bow’s character
Phase 3: Tillering and Balance
The art of tillering: getting even bend and draw
Creating draw weights suitable for your size and use
Using tillering sticks and techniques for accuracy
Problem-solving limb imbalance, twist, or hinge points
Phase 4: Finishing & Stringing
Smoothing, sanding, and burnishing the bow
Adding handle wraps or custom touches
Carving nocks and installing a bow string
Intro to bowstrings: materials and performance
Evening Presentations & Discussion Topics
The science of energy transfer in bows
Bow styles across cultures and climates
Hunting ethics and historical use
Bow care, storage, and longevity tips
Q&A sessions and peer feedback opportunities
Final Day: Test & Reflect
Final tiller checks and adjustments
Shooting practice and technique coaching
Assessing performance and making your next bow plan
Closing fire circle: stories, reflections, and what the bow teaches us about ourselves
You’ll Leave With:
A completed and functional hunting bow made with your own hands
A strong foundation in both primitive and modern bow craftsmanship
An understanding of natural materials, hand tools, and body alignment
A deeper relationship with wood, patience, and presence
The confidence to repeat the process again, anywhere