Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Mafort on March 09, 2019, 04:55:23 am

Title: Native American groups of Colorado.
Post by: Mafort on March 09, 2019, 04:55:23 am

I know there are a number including the Ute, Apache, Cheyenne and so forth. Was wanting to make and use a bow for hunting deer with my grandpa in the Rockies. Anyone have any examples. I’ve tried looking them up but there are very few photos and construction details.

Title: Re: Native American groups of Colorado.
Post by: PatM on March 09, 2019, 07:15:53 am

There are numerous examples of these types of bows and their construction well documented.  Do you want to look up most of them and decide which style you like best?  Many specific areas used similar weapons  regardless of tribe.  You may not particularly care for a replica.

Title: Re: Native American groups of Colorado.
Post by: jeffp51 on March 09, 2019, 07:19:52 am

The mountain west very often used sinew backed juniper, at least on the west side of the Rockies and the Colorado Plateau. The Anasazi used atlatls, and I think the Pueblo did too.

Title: Re: Native American groups of Colorado.
Post by: Hawkdancer on March 09, 2019, 10:54:37 am

Most of the tribes east of the mountains were "horse people". Probably used shorter, wider bows.  Read  Steve Allely(sp) and Jim Hamm's books, maybe TBB 1-4.
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: Native American groups of Colorado.
Post by: PatM on March 09, 2019, 01:44:22 pm

Many Native horse bows are actually quite narrow despite being short

Title: Re: Native American groups of Colorado.
Post by: Halcon rojo on March 15, 2019, 10:45:24 pm

The Commache were in Southern Colorado and traded with the Ute and Arapahoe too. The Lakota would come down from the north as well. PatM is right. The horse bows were short. Allely and Hamm’s encyclopedia of Native American bows is a good resource.

Title: Re: Native American groups of Colorado.
Post by: Limbit on March 16, 2019, 03:44:44 am

I'm from CO. There was one on display in Colorado Springs at a Ute indian museum in Colorado springs. It says it was made out of mountain mahogany and looked very similar to a 5 curve bow with less reflexed tips. Very short as were the arrows. Looks like it probably drew to 20''. Seems like it wouldn't be too complicated to make.