How to Make a Homemade Apache Bow

The Apache Indian tribes lived in the desert of the southwest U.S., mostly around what is now New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. To protect themselves and hunt for food, the Apache often used bows and arrows and spears they made themselves out of materials found around their homes. For protection, they also made shields out of buffalo hide. Those who are curious about what it was like to make an Apache bow can make their own.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood
  • Saw
  • Knife
  • Leather
  • Tape
  • Nylon string
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look for, and choose, the wood that will be used for your homemade Apache bow. Wild mulberry, hickory, oak, ash, maple and elm are all good choices. If possible, find a tree near a water source, such as a stream. A good limb for making a homemade bow will be at least 1-inch but less than 2-inches at the center and 3/4-inch at the top.

    • 2

      Using a saw, cut off a straight limb, approximately 50 inches to 60 inches in length, without any knots or branches growing off the side.

    • 3

      Test the limbs you chose by holding onto both ends with your hands and stepping on the center. Pull up approximately 3 inches to see if it bends. If it bends, it will work for a homemade bow, if it snaps, it should be thrown away and another limb cut.

    • 4

      Peel off all of the bark from the limb using only your hands.

    • 5

      Leave the limb in a shaded area and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours.

    • 6

      Place tape or leather around the middle of the limb to make a handle for the bow. Add extra tape or leather around the upper portion of the handle to create a place to rest an arrow.

    • 7

      Cut notches for a bow string to go at each end of the bow. Use a knife to cut a "V" shape facing the inside of the bow.

    • 8

      Cut a piece of nylon string that is at least 12 inches longer than the bow and tie it to the notch at the bottom end of the bow. Create a loop at the other end of the bow string that is 6 inches shorter than the length of the bow. Bend the bow and slip the loop over the other end of the bow and into the notch.