Central Illinois primitive arrow material

[Burnsie]

Gearing up to try my hand at some primitive arrows.  I want to make them out of materials native to central Illinois. I know some have made them out of multiflora rose and there is plenty of that around here.  Anyone know if there is river cane in this area (Champaign, Illinois)? Any other native materials that make good arrow shafts?

[seabass]

i am new to this also.i think rivercane grows in the south.i know you can use dogwood shoots.i think the tech name is osier.you can use bamboo that can be purchased at lowes or home depot in the garden department.if i make any more discoveries i will pm you and let you know about them.good luck,steve

[adeeden]

Yup were a little to far north for river cane! I have heard of folks usng dog wood shoots for arrows though and there native to our area. I imagine you could make some hickory ones as well.

[Mudd]

I have a Japanese arrow bamboo thicket growing in my back yard along with Viburnum(arrow wood) and Gray dogwood.

I planted all of these things years ago in the thought that I'd always have all of the arrow shaft supply I'd ever need.

As it turns out what I found out was "I hate making arrows!" so not one arrow have I ever cut out of my arrow shaft stock...lol

God bless,Mudd

[Bill Tell]

I'm just asking because I don't know but could you use cat tail?  I don't know anything about primitive arrows.

[Brad_Gentry]

Does anybody have a picture of what river cane looks like? I was riding (horses) along a creek in extreme southern Illinois about a month ago and there was a ton of stuff that looked like bamboo... was wondering if that's what it was.

[adeeden]

Brad I believe there is some river cane in the very southern part of the state. You could have very well seen some.

[hawk4570]

Mudd thats kind of sad. What do you do? Just let it grow. I heard bamboo will spread on you and get out of hand is that right?

[bofish-IL]

Here is a photo of river cane

 

[Mudd]

I have a standing offer that anyone who wants to come get some whether cut or dug they are more than welcome but I will not harvest it or dig it for them.

I try to keep it under control with the lawn mower. But I don't try real hard because I own 3/4 of an acre I have to push mow the whole thing.

So, yes! I just let it grow!

God bless,Mudd

[Shawn Rackley]

Multi flora rose? i dont know if its up there. but if it is. its good stuff

[Brad_Gentry]

Dennis and Elmer - That's what I bet it was then. Thanks for posting the pic Elmer.

[Tom Leemans]

Just walk around in the thick woods for a bit, anywhere in IL. You'll find multi flora rose without even looking for it!

[Burnsie]

Thanks, guys.  I'm thinking Multiflora might be my best bet for this part of the state.

[Flesner]

I'm not sure Multi flora rose is "native". I think some idiot hog farmer brought it over from Europe. Thought it would keep the livestock in if they planted it in rows.

Brilliant!

The hogs got away and so did the briars.

[adeeden]

Originally posted by Flesner:
I'm not sure Multi flora rose is "native". I think some idiot hog farmer brought it over from Europe. Thought it would keep the livestock in if they planted it in rows.

Brilliant!

The hogs got away and so did the briars.

He must be related to the "lady bug" guy!

[Flesner]

The Asian Carp guy was also a genius!

[Horner]

Originally posted by Tom Leemans:
Just walk around in the thick woods for a bit, anywhere in IL. You'll find multi flora rose without even looking for it!

 The Ohio and Illinos woods must share that problem, dang things are everywhere.

The guy that thought it would be a good idea to plant them, needs dug up and to have his bones rolled through them.