Hi I’m Mark and I’m passionate about making primitive bows and arrows. I have the good fortune to live in England in the beautiful county of Devon with my wife, children and my trusty hound. I’m a full-time forest ranger and I love to make and shoot primitive bows in my spare time. I’m also an avid hunter, angler and general outdoors man who is never more at home than when I’m out in the woods with a bow, rifle, rod or axe in my hand.

I made my first bow aged 8 years and spent much of my youth flinging arrows from a simple home-made stick and string bow. Around 10 years ago I got serious about making primitive bows. Initially I just wanted to learn how I could make a reliable, functional and durable bow from the materials in my local environment. (A primitive survival bow).

But once I achieved consistency at making basic functional bows, I began to realise that, with experience, time, effort and a significant dollop of artistry, there was potentially much more than basic functionality to be gained from a simple primitive bow.

After studying much of the literature available at the time I began to learn that, not only was it quite possible to craft a highly functional bow from common, natural and readily available materials, but with some creativity, it was also possible to build a simple primitive bow which had the heart, soul and beauty of mother nature herself.

Since that discovery I’ve devoted much of my spare time to learning and practicing the art of crafting and shooting primitive bows and arrows made from both natural and modern tools and materials. I simply never tire of making bows and arrows. The craft inspires me greatly.

The value that primitive archery brings to my life is immense and deeply meaningful. Primitive archery connects me to nature and I find this connection both healthy and liberating. I wish for more people to experience the charge that one gains when nature and creativity combine to produce a form of artistic technology which gave our ancestors the freedom and independence to fundamentally changed the course of humanity.

So please join me as I share my enthusiasm for this art by continuing to learn, practice and hopefully maybe even teach others about the way of the simple stick and string!

I look forward to sharing my passion with you through this blog and I hope to hear from you in the comments!