What did the Native Americans shoot

[Txnrog]

I've got a couple 'modern' African bows that my mom bartered for in Tanzania (it's really entertaining to watch her - she'll walk right into a tribe in the middle of nowhere and start 'shopping', the villagers love it). These were the 'real' ones as there wasn't a tourist around for 500 miles. Both are very short (36-40inches) & stout - almost looks like half a broom handle made skinny on each end. She also got a set from southern mexico quite a few years ago, and it's much, much longer - probably 65-70 inches and rougher hewn. Arrow heads on both sets are steel, and the most prevalent was a needle point that they would poison - I think they used some kind of beetle in Tanz if I remember right.

[TWP]

The Brits

I was reading a book the other day which had a lot to say about the Comanches killing buffalo by riding along side them on a horse and sticking them with a large spear...something like 12 or 14 ft (i might be off a bit on length). Think jousting.

Read about the Brits doing the same thing during their heyday in India and Africa with all types of animals! Lost lots of good mounts doing it. Crazy boogers!

[rubydog]

I was reading a book the other day which had a lot to say about the Comanches killing buffalo by riding along side them on a horse and sticking them with a large spear...something like 12 or 14 ft (i might be off a bit on length). Think jousting.

Read about the Brits doing the same thing during their heyday in India and Africa with all types of animals! Lost lots of good mounts doing it. Crazy boogers!

You can find the same sort of Indian activity right here in the Lone Star State. Just go up to the Cap Rock and you will find a multitude of buffalo jumps as they are called.

[muzzlebrake]

There is a lot of info and pictures on the internet about Ishi and the bows and arrows he made. As I recall he preferred a bow in the 45# range.

I have weighed some of the points I made for hafting that are about the same cut as Zephyr broadheads and they weigh from 175 to 200 grs depending on the rock. I have shot these into my big block target and they get exactly the same penetration as my Zephyr Sasquatch's do.

[trad"Doc"53]

Kirby, When I get your arrows done up and I get them to you, I will try to remember to bring the two honest to gosh injun arrows I have from my grandfathers collection. They were dated to around the mid + 1850s from the southeastern California/Arizona tribes. They are a pretty cool piece of Native American history.

[equin]

Kirby, When I get your arrows done up and I get them to you, I will try to remember to bring the two honest to gosh injun arrows I have from my grandfathers collection. They were dated to around the mid + 1850s from the southeastern California/Arizona tribes. They are a pretty cool piece of Native American history.

Southeastern California? Man, I used to live there for a short period in the mid-90's. Beautiful desert with huge sand dunes and perfect winter time climate. But if you thought Texas summers are hot, that place has it beat hands down - got up to 124* one day and the low temps at night would never go below 99!

Anyway, were these the Yaqui Indians? Would you happen to have any pics of those arrows? Very curious to see what they look like and what kind of wood and arrow point they used, considering trees are very scarce in that desert area.

[trad"Doc"53]

These pics don't do them justice and doen't really bring out the detail where the sinew wrapping is painted over. The partial tip is bone. They are nothing fancy, just truely sticks!

[equin]

Wow, thanks for posting those pictures! Very interesting.

[M-2]

Larry,

I think those Indians were using the same lathe I use for painting the cresting.

Sorry, this is Dusty. I didn't realize Martha was logged on. You could probably tell though since her sense of humor is not quite as twisted as mine.

[flywise]

Kirby, When I get your arrows done up and I get them to you, I will try to remember to bring the two honest to gosh injun arrows I have from my grandfathers collection. They were dated to around the mid + 1850s from the southeastern California/Arizona tribes. They are a pretty cool piece of Native American history.

sounds good buddy, Can't wait to see those arrow up close

[Speedgoat]

Osage made bows about 40 pounds.

[trad"Doc"53]

Larry,

I think those Indians were using the same lathe I use for painting the cresting.

Sorry, this is Dusty. I didn't realize Martha was logged on. You could probably tell though since her sense of humor is not quite as twisted as mine.

Dusty, I like twisted!! That is why I don't put that fancy stuff on my woods, try as hard as I do, I just can't straighten them enough not to get a wobbly paint job!LOL