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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: sheephunter on May 06, 2012, 03:32:00 PM

Title: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: sheephunter on May 06, 2012, 03:32:00 PM
In March, my wife was on a trip of South America. While in the Amazon, the locals had some of their bows and arrows out one day. Being a archer herself, she began to ask a lot of questions and eventually, they let her shoot one of the bows!! She took some pictures and asked if they would be willing to sell and of the equipment, which they did not. I guess they like their stuff as much as we do ours! The bow my wife is shooting was one of the long bows. Most were quite a bit shorter. Thought yall might enjoy!!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee381/BrownC53/Amazon_15_.jpg)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee381/BrownC53/Local_farm_7_.jpg)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee381/BrownC53/Local_farm_6_.jpg)
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: Brianlocal3 on May 06, 2012, 03:44:00 PM
That is fascinating , thank you do much for posting it.
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: sheephunter on May 06, 2012, 04:01:00 PM
Glad you liked it! Wish I could have been there or if she could have brought some of that stuff home! Crazy looking stuff!
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: owlbait on May 06, 2012, 04:22:00 PM
Now that's D-shaped! How did they chrony those in the jungle?  :thumbsup:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: ChuckC on May 06, 2012, 04:25:00 PM
Think those arrows were 10 GPP of bow ?  How about UFOC ?
ChuckC
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: Converml on May 06, 2012, 04:31:00 PM
Thanks for sharing. I've been in Ecuador for 4 years now but haven't made it to the orient. Now I have more incentive. Nice photos
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: kuch on May 06, 2012, 04:53:00 PM
Really cool ! Any details such type of wood , approx. poundage, was poison used or different tips ?
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: no nothing on May 06, 2012, 05:02:00 PM
Thanks for posting, those look great.
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: bawana bowman on May 06, 2012, 05:17:00 PM
The bows and the arrow points both appear to be made of Black Palm. I have one here that was made in South America, it is 61" long and 46#@26". Not sure where it was made exactly but looks to be made the same as those in the pics, just longer. The arrows that came with it are made of cane with metal points of various shapes. Look more the size of North American Indian than S. American. Quiver is a rather large diameter section of Bamboo, don't think it is originally from S.A..
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: sheephunter on May 06, 2012, 05:23:00 PM
My wife says that the arrows are poisonous, they rub them on the backs of poisonous frogs. She shoots a #45 recurve and said the draw weight was heavier than that, she figures between #50-60 or so. Not sure on woods used.
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: Big Ed on May 06, 2012, 05:42:00 PM
Very cool!!!
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: Green on May 06, 2012, 07:06:00 PM
Now those are some footed shafts!     :eek:
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: kuch on May 06, 2012, 09:31:00 PM
Thanks for the details, also noticed arrow on the Right side of the bow , and she is RH....is that also a South A. technique?
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: landman on May 06, 2012, 09:48:00 PM
She needs to drop her right elbow.
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: bohuntr on May 06, 2012, 09:58:00 PM
Very cool!!!
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: capt eddie on May 06, 2012, 10:57:00 PM
Thanks for posting the pictures.  I have a palm bow that was made for me by our guide on a two week hunting trip to the Amazon.  I watched and helped him make the bow.  He did every part of the manufacturing with nothing but a machete.  I traded him all of the Fast flight strings that I took down with me   I was able to trade some Snuffers for Handmade Harpoons also.
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: sheephunter on May 06, 2012, 11:45:00 PM
To answer a couple of questions, my wife had to hold the arrow on the string in a pinch style because the nocks on the arrows were more like a shallow dish than a nock (you can see that in the pictures as well) so hence the high elbow and I am not sure on the arrow being on the right side of the bow. Maybe someone told her to do so. Ishi shot in a similar manner so the natives may have some similar tactics for shooting that style and told her to do so. She has never shot a primitive style bow without a shelf before, so i am not sure. Hey, were not perfect are we! Very interesting to see that others have had knowledge and experience with these bows as well!
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: kuch on May 07, 2012, 05:37:00 AM
thanks again for sharing , i appreciate it
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: njloco on May 07, 2012, 03:26:00 PM
VERY COOL, thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: JamesKerr on May 07, 2012, 09:59:00 PM
Neat looking arrows!
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: Traxx on May 07, 2012, 10:07:00 PM
There was a guy,who used to post on Paleo planet and Primitive archer.He posted lots of pics of Amazonian bows.Many were of him useing them hunting and fishing,in the Amazon,with the natives.Apparently,his parents were missionaries and he grew up there,and was taught by the native people.
Title: Re: Bows from the Amazon
Post by: Matty on May 07, 2012, 10:53:00 PM
Those arrows are crazy!!
What do you think those weigh!  A pound each?