ohio native bows

[blackriverbower]

I want to build and hunt with a native Ohio style bow. But I cant find what type of bow they used. I know a flat bow, but was there an average length weight ect. What type of wood would they have used. My guess is hickory or osage i have stave's of both.

The tribe is Erie a branch of the Iroquois tribe any help greatly appreciated.

[Pat B]

Probably one of the Eastern Woodland styles. The Sudbury bow from the Mass area is hickory with a somewhat narrow,non-bending handle and narrowed tips.  The Cherokee style is a bend through the handle bow from 60" up to over 70" long. The Cherokee used locust, hickory and later osage.    
   Jim Hamm and Steve Alaley(sp) put out a book about Native American bows and arrows that will probably have some Ideas for you.
   Also you might look up The Museum of American Indians and the Natural History Museum in Washington, DC. They should have info also.   Pat

[blackriverbower]

should it be a self bow or sinew/rawhide backed. Im using hickory ill either make a paddle or flatbow.

[Killdeer]

Get yourself a copy of "Encyclopedia of Native American Bows, Arrows & Quivers, Volume 1" by Steve Allely and Jim Hamm. It has all the information that you are looking for.

Killdeer  

[Pat B]

Very few if any Eastern Woodland Bows were sinew backed. Generally longer self bows. Most of the sinew backed bows were from the plains and the  west coast.
   With a hickory stave you shouldn't need any backing at all. If it is a board bow maybe a rawhide backing.    Pat

[blackriverbower]

Not a board, the straightest piece of hickory I've ever seen. Got the stave for free too. I'll look into that book thanks.

[Roy Steele]

Eastern Indain type.Hickory with no backing.

[Roy Steele]

Eastern Indain type.Hickory with no backing.