How to Make a Bow and Arrow

Bows can be a difficult weapon to make, but even a simple one can bring you big success on a hunting trip. To be able to make your bow, you will need to first shape your bow from a long branch of flexible hardwood - Yew wood is the best type of wood to use. Cut a branch about 4 foot (1.2m) long and carve it with your knife, either a penknife or a suitable sharp knife will do, in to a recognizable bow shape. Ensure that it is the same dimensions at the top and bottom, and that it widens slightly in the middle so you can hold it comfortably. Now cut notches about half an inch (1.25cm) from the end of each tip and tie strong cord between these two notches, bending the bow before tying to get a fast, springy feel. 

Arrows are made from straight sticks cut about 2 foot (60cm) long and just a quarter of an inch (6mm) in diameter, shaved of all bumps, notches and protrusions. To make the arrow head you can either sharpen the end of the stick to a point and then harden the tip over a fire gradually or you can attach more advanced arrow heads such as sharpened pieces of bone, metal or glass. for the flights take either leaves or feathers and secure them tightly to the other end of the arrow. next, cut a notch at the same end (blunt end) for the bow string to sit in. 

Once this is all done and completed, it is ready to use. You can now practice against close targets, and gradually increase your distance. You will need to focus on your target, not the arrow, with your dominant eye and release the string smoothly when you fire (pull the string back with your index finger above the arrow and the next two fingers below). 

REMEMBER that you should only ever use this technique for survival reasons only. you must never aim or fire at a person and remember to look into your local laws on this type of hunting. In the UK, using a bow and arrow to hunt with is illegal, due to it not always giving a clean and precise kill like what other forms of equipment do).