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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Burnsie on September 14, 2010, 07:07:00 PM

Title: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Burnsie on September 14, 2010, 07:07:00 PM
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?
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: seabass on September 14, 2010, 07:25:00 PM
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
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: adeeden on September 14, 2010, 08:35:00 PM
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.
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Mudd on September 14, 2010, 09:08:00 PM
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
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Bill Tell on September 14, 2010, 09:13:00 PM
I'm just asking because I don't know but could you use cat tail?  I don't know anything about primitive arrows.
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Brad_Gentry on September 14, 2010, 09:18:00 PM
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.
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: adeeden on September 14, 2010, 09:31:00 PM
Brad I believe there is some river cane in the very southern part of the state. You could have very well seen some.
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: hawk4570 on September 14, 2010, 09:37:00 PM
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?
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: bofish-IL on September 14, 2010, 10:49:00 PM
Here is a photo of river cane

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/river_cane.jpg)
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Mudd on September 15, 2010, 12:44:00 AM
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
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Shawn Rackley on September 15, 2010, 01:54:00 AM
Multi flora rose? i dont know if its up there. but if it is. its good stuff
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Brad_Gentry on September 15, 2010, 08:29:00 AM
Dennis and Elmer - That's what I bet it was then. Thanks for posting the pic Elmer.
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Tom Leemans on September 15, 2010, 08:47:00 AM
Just walk around in the thick woods for a bit, anywhere in IL. You'll find multi flora rose without even looking for it!
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Burnsie on September 15, 2010, 10:50:00 AM
Thanks, guys.  I'm thinking Multiflora might be my best bet for this part of the state.
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Flesner on September 15, 2010, 11:43:00 AM
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.
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: adeeden on September 15, 2010, 11:48:00 AM
QuoteOriginally 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!
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Flesner on September 16, 2010, 12:21:00 PM
The Asian Carp guy was also a genius!
Title: Re: Central Illinois primitive arrow material
Post by: Horner on September 16, 2010, 12:27:00 PM
QuoteOriginally 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!
:laughing:  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.