Archery has become a great sport over the years, but it can be expensive. There is a way to have fun with archery without losing all your green. It is quite simple to make and use a bow, but these step-by-step instructions will help make it simpler.

Materials

First thing you need to make a good archery bow is a good stick. To find the best stick, look for one that is about three and a half to four feet long, about as wide as your thumb, quite springy, and with a little or no curve. Also, find one without any sticks or knots sticking out.

You will also need a sharp knife, a nylon cord that's about two-three inches shorter than your stick, some yarn, or other type of string and some sandpaper.

Putting Them Together

To make your bow, the first step is to take the bark off your bow with your sharp knife. This will make it look better, and make it easier to work with. When that is done, let it sit overnight, or until dry.

Then, cut two slits in the top and bottom of the bow to hold the bowstring. If you have trouble creating a wide enough slit to hold the string, shove a small sliver of wood in between them to hold it open.

When you have created the slits, sand the bow if you wish. If not, continue on to the next step.

Now you can create your handle. Grab your bow in the middle, or where the weight feels right. If the top seems too heavy, hold it lower, and vice versa.

When you have found your balanced spot, wrap your yarn of string around the spot until it is about your hands length. Now you have a handle. If you want to create any detail work such as carving marks on the bow, do it now.

Now that you have finished your bow, you can move on to using it.

String Your Bow

To use your bow, you first need to string it.

Take your string and create a small loop on each end (slipknots work very well).

To string your bow, slip one loop over the bottom slit, and then push on the top of the bow to bring it down so you can slide the other loop over the top slit.

How to Use Your Bow

Now that you have a strung bow, grip it with your non-dominant hand, on the yarn or string grip. Take your long arrow (can be made out of long pieces of wood) and nock it.

To nock an arrow, just place the split end on the bowstring and rest the tip on (if you are right-handed) the left side of the bow, so it rests on your index finger. With your right hand, grip the string with your index and middle fingers only. Put the arrow in between them. Using your back and shoulder muscles, pull back on the string until the end of the arrow is next to your ear, point your arrow a little above what you are aiming for, and let go of the string.

The bow and arrow was used as a weapon, and still is, but now it is also used for sport. They are also fun to make. Enjoy!