How to Shoot a Bow Ishi Style (HD)

[@kruethos6042]

Thank you so much for showing this. I also learned to shoot with the mediterranean grip but really want to learn to shoot with the arrow on the other side of the bow. This looks perfect for me.

[@k.s.3748]

AWESOME! I've built these bows too, and you NAILED the proper technique with this equipment. Great work Billy! I've had good luck with rawhide backed hackberry as well in Texas.

[@eqlzr2]

Anybody who's spent a fair amount of time learning to shoot thumb-draw off the right side of a bow will find this vid interesting on several levels. I certainly have, and learned a few things that will help me in my current shooting efforts. Smart advice about the low-poundage bow, also. Thx.

[@squamiger7720]

what's very cool about this shooting style is that it's an adjustment on a normal asian thumb release / right side of the bow method used with heavier composite recurve bows, which allows you to retain essentially the same method while also allowing you to position the arrow directly in line with your eye. it's a way to gap shoot with the arrow tip as a sight, off the right side of the bow with a thumb release

[@Daylon91]

Side khatra is necessary which is awesome. Many peoples mostly Turkish or Islamic people think it was only them who did khatra. They are very adamant about it. But even the English knew about the "khatra" principle.

[@michaelgillen3333]

Excellent! I learned (was taught) to place arrow to right side, and some have critisised me for that. This supports my practise.

[@Intranetusa]

The arrow placement side should be paired with the corresponding shooting technique. If youre shooting with the 3 finger Mediterranean/English style, the you would generally want the arrow on the left if youre right handed. If youre shooting Asiatic thumb draw, you want the arrow on the right if youre right handed.

[@GarthOJ]

That stretch noise, is that a sinew string? I've never used sinew but I've heard that same noise a few times in other people's bows.

[@dimfuturefilms9070]

Thanks Billy for the awesome video, I appreciate your time into showing us how the Natives shot their arrows so we can also shoot their way because we all know they were masters at what they did.

[@primitivepathways]

You're welcome! Really glad you enjoyed the video!

[@hangableautobulbbot]

Not directly related but I just received a new bow for my 40th birthday, its a Beier Ishi which I believe is a tribute to the man you refer to. I had no idea it came from the Indians of NA so this was super interesting to find out. It's my first trad style bow though so I think I'll just get used to shooting it normally before trying different shooting styles. Really cool to know though, thanks for the video

[@SeadartVSG]

You mentioned it briefly, but the arrows of lots of western desert tribes were very short 22 to maybe 24 inches at most. So the draw length of the bows are short, and their style allowed them stalk while stooping or crawling on belly and firing from those positions. The bows were not impressive draw poundages like plains buffalo hunters. It was more about stealth and meager bow making bush choices than powerful bows. When i was about 8 years old I visited on a Ute reservation in Utah with my father's friend who worked for BIA. There was an old man there who taught a bunch of us to shoot something like like this. He also showed us how to cook small game (prairie dogs I believe) coated in mud and then roasted in the coals .

[@primitivepathways]

From what I've seen in museums the arrow length varies. Apache reed arrows are quite long, 33 inches or longer. Plains arrows were shorter, 24-27 inches on average. Hupa arrows are 28-31 inches on average. Don't forget those old hunters weren't nearly as big as we are today. I've read that Comanche warriors averaged 5 foot 7. I'm in the gym 5 days a week, so at 6 foot 2 and 240 lbs I'm like an NFL linebacker....I seriously doubt any Indians were my size! Those shorter bows and arrows were fitted to them. To make a bow that fits me and can handle my long draw, it has to be longer.

[@ruslanks4801]

Try the Mongolian style. It is more clever techick of shooting with a bow

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Longer arrows are also more forgiving.

[@primitivepathways]

That's true. I've also found that arrows longer than the actual draw length of the bow fly better. So it could be a two-fold advantage.

[@johnbland1585]

@@primitivepathways There were short and tall Indians. Lakota Natives had some very tall One called Touches the sky was almost 7' tall. The South Eastern Natives were tall enough to scare the Spanish There are lots of records that have recorded Indians being very tall in some areas

[@dougg1075]

Reminds me of the “ hook grip) used in Olympics lifting, you can almost relax your hand and still hold on

[@2greeksandacamera]

Bravo for all your terrific tried and true sharing Billy.

[@aspavamurat]

What are the best archery techniques? Comanche or Ishi? I know it is also based off of Comfort but physically I would want to know

[@rooroo9216]

I’ve actually done this off my 60lbs Korean bow (but I need a thumb ring). I get a longer draw though and I kind of anchor just under my nose diagonally, so it doesn’t get in the way. I also point down the arrow because the thumb ring moves my index finger forward so I can’t do it this specific way, but with all those variations I’ve managed to get some really accurate shots. It also works with Slavic draw too apparently

[@julianvanegas6102]

Hello how are you greetings from Colombia I really like your bows and arrows I love your bows

[@patriotknight]

Bout time you came out with a new video, Been waitn' forever. Great article in February issue of TBM, by the way.

[@primitivepathways]

Thanks so much! Really glad you liked it.

[@timlopes67]

Awesome like this video, just ordered a Osage kid bow from your website can't wait for it to arrive to teach my nephew how to shoot a bow.

[@QuantumMech_88]

Excellent video . I have made more than a few bows and have studied various cultures throughout history who used the bow . Take a look at old drawings and paintings of English archers shooting the longbow . The arrow is rested on the right side of the bow for a right handed shooter and not the left as so many people believe . This makes sense if one considers eye dominance - keeping both eyes open for "triangulation" / a visual trigonometry . My Apache great uncle was a bowyer and master of the art by anyone's definition . He is the one who got me into using 4 or 2 fletches as opposed to 3 . Faster load / reload and no need to look at the arrow and orientation of the fletching's and nock in relation to the string . Thanks once again for your superior videos and Best Wishes in all endeavors . Lefty Cat

[@Lachaiim]

How’s the shoulder injury doing?

[@AFCAWorldBodybuildingArchive]

Billy, i can say for sure that I love every one of your videos and I watched them with interest. But besides of what can be learnt from them and the amount of entertainment, I watched many of them because of your persona. You seem to be a very unique character with so much going on in your life. I think I speak for many many people if I say that you totally should do some videos about yourself. What does your average day look like, what are your interests, fears, plans etc. What does your muscle training look like, what is your average nutrition to keep the physique and so on. I think that would be amazing. As always, all the best wishes to you and your Loved Ones :)

[@primitivepathways]

Thanks so much! I could certainly do that, since people would like to see what I do in my daily life. I'll start working on something along those lines. Thanks so much for your interest and suggestions!

[@arnoutbottenberg7390]

You're so awesome such high quality videos and an awesome personality

[@primitivepathways]

Thanks so much!! Really glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the compliments! *Blush*

[@MarEXksz]

Good to see Billy's back!

[@bigtmemeproductions8646]

Sir keep up the great work! Was a big fan of your bow making videos when I was a kid!

[@maxhoyle2134]

This grip with, right hand, is very similar to the Aisan style but there's are powerful bows requiring an thumb ring of one style or another, and the Mongol style bow used short arrows too!

[@bumbumbutter3189]

What a great video about archery ! Awesome !

[@rikmultem2]

I have made a primitive bow out of taxus wood recently but i want to paint/ varnish it, but i was wondering what varnish to use because i think normal varnish is going to burst

[@davidruiz2204]

I’m from the hoopa tribe that is nothing like our bows or our style we hold the bow with two fingers, but you where right on holding the string

[@rooroo9216]

Is that something like Slavic draw you mean?

[@treelore7266]

I tried this with my narrow-handled bow to minimize spine issues and found it very uncomfortable to retract the index finger. But if you use it with the kind of bows they used to make, about one and a half inch wide at the handle, then it is really no problem at all. Just a reminder to never dismiss a technique if you are doing it with the wrong equipment.

[@rooroo9216]

I don’t like having my index finger/nail in danger of being ripped off/broken, I do most of this and prefer to point down the arrow instead. The “pointing” down the arrow is to stop the arrow creeping up the bow frame and making me miss ridiculously high when I do the thumb draw. But not putting too much pressure on the arrow downwards or else it’ll add elevation anyway

[@cherokeeproud9531]

Thank you so much Bill! I was so excited to see your new video plus, it involves Ishi's style of shooting! Awesome! Keep up the great work! Thanks again! Happy new year!

[@garygerkin9988]

Man you are a wealth of knowledge. Incredibly interesting video. Thank you

[@primitivepathways]

Thanks!

[@JoeMac1983]

Even back in the day residents of California did things backwards lol. In all seriousness though, thanks for all of your videos!

[@leejohnhernandez7935]

Please make more arrow making videos, also it would be so awesome to integrate your flint knapping, with arrow crafting! Anyway enjoy your vids!

[@primitivepathways]

I'll be making more flintknapping videos soon so stay tuned!

[@AFCAWorldBodybuildingArchive]

What exactly is the thing that causes this squeeky cracking noise at 0:18 as you draw it. Is it the string? Does it have to be made from certain materials to do so? Or is it the wood of the bow? Always have been curious.

[@primitivepathways]

AFCA - World Bodybuilding Archive it's actually the sinew string creaking against the peg on the bottom limb. Not really sure why it does that, but it has been doing that for years. Perhaps the wood has become polished there and that's why it creaks. I need to wrap that string loop with buckskin to prevent that.

[@Daylon91]

Its sideways khatra moving the bow out of the way adding speed just downwards. Even we knew the advantages of it. I've shot on the left side of the bow for a long while then switched to the right and did khatra saw the benefits immediately. 10 min in and I was already shooting better groups

[@JrooStu]

Your short draw is my full draw. Haha. Very cool!

[@ryderburge4774]

Could you maybe do a video on how to make your own hunting arrows because I have been suggesting that for a while

[@HNXMedia]

Awesome vid! Thanks for sharing this style! Namaste!

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

What would be the benefits of this shooting style?

[@primitivepathways]

This style goes with the short bows of that region and how their handles were shaped. It's also a regional shooting style that was used in Northern CA and probably extended much further than we're aware of. I get much better arrow flight if I shoot these short bows in the same style as the Natives used as opposed to our modern, English longbow shooting style that most modern people use today.

[@squamiger7720]

it allows you to sight directly down the arrow. i think it would be very accurate for hunting small game

[@societyofrobots]

The rotation is called "Khatra" and your pull technique is called "thumb draw." These techniques are heavily used with asiatic archers.

[@BennyCFD]

Due to the short draw distance and just using the thumb to draw the arrow, and the smaller arrow length/weight like what size animal could be consistently/reliably taken down.

[@primitivepathways]

You can take deer with these weapons. The old guys did it for centuries and my good friend Steve Allely has taken 11 deer so far with his short west coast replica bows pulling 40 lbs. Shot placement and good arrow flight are most important. Put the arrow in the right place and it will bring down big game.

[@thehornetsnestforge1269]

Elk ,black tale ,black bear and grizzly were taken with these bows . Bears weren't targeted often, but elk were one of our main food sources .

[@austinmago9615]

Hey billy! not a critique just a question, what do you think about straightening/locking out your bow arm with this style of shooting?

[@cameronjones1860]

How thin are the wood limbs of that hupa bow?

[@bryanwilliams4343]

Good video! I have a question would Virginia be fitted in the southeastern woodland region, or the northeastern region?

[@primitivepathways]

That's tough to say because I don't know. During the Civil war Virginia was considered part of the confederacy, but I don't know about the Native American tribes. I'd say it could be a transition zone, probably with a mixture of NE and SE tribes and technology. You'd have to talk to an archaeologist about that. There may be cultural overlaps, or the technology could show more influence from northern or southern tribes. You definitely stumped me with that question!

[@bryanwilliams4343]

Primitive Pathways well thanks for what you could tell me I’ve been stumped about that too! You know your prob right about both having influence specially with the tribes that live on the Chesapeake Bay Area.

[@typalfi7139]

Hi primitive pathways! I have been watching your videos for a while now and I have grown a love for Native American culture. I would love to learn more about it, although I dont know who to contact, what classes to take or where to go to find information. Would you have any Ideas of suggestions?

[@dougsmith8421]

Nice video Billy, I like seeing the close ups of the bow hand. i thnk its a better video of Ishi style shooting than the one Jeff Martin put out. I watched his Hupa bow series. Its kind of strange how his Hupa bow video resembles your CA bow video in places. What'd he do, copy it? Keep up the good work!

[@primitivepathways]

Doug Smith BEWARE OF COPYCAT PRIMITIVE LIFEWAYS!! yes jeff bought our DVD, then released his KZbin series right after ours. That undercuts us & makes it much harder to sell our DVD. He said he'd help promote our DVD in his videos and even post a link to my website on his website so people could buy it. But he's done neither. He's a liar, and has no morals or ethics when it comes to information. He will take info anywhere he can, then put it on his own videos as though it's his own. Don't trust that guy at all!

[@primitivepathways]

Jeff responded to this message but when I came back to respond, he had deleted his comment. He does that on a regular basis...he'll respond my comments that call him out for being a fraud. Then I get an e-mail notification showing his comment. When I try to respond, I can't find the comment anymore because, like a coward, he deletes it. He's done that on a regular basis...posts a response to my comment which calls him a fraud, then deletes it. I'm sure he's reading this comment, so Jeff, the rest of this comment is aimed at you. Post all the comments you want on my videos because I'll never delete them. I invite everyone to join in. But if you do, for once in your life do your best to try to be a man and stand behind what you type and leave it for everyone, including me, to refute you. It's obvious you don't want people to see what a fraud you are, that's why you delete comments on your videos when people notice how similar your CA Bow videos are to my DVD. You can't deny that fact, so instead of defending your videos (which you can't), you delete any comment from viewers who call you out, then you engage in this bratty little comment warfare where you post, then delete comments like a scared little twat. You obviously don't want anyone calling you out for the fraud you are. I stand behind every word I say or type and I'm willing to defend my position. But you won't. It's obvious you've gotten yourself in hot water and pissed off a lot of people with that last stunt you pulled. You won't dare have it out with me because you know you'll lose.

[@bryonguenther6199]

What kind of wood is the bow you demonstrated on?

[@primitivepathways]

Bryon Guenther it's sinew backed juniper...the same stuff Ishi used in the wild. 😀

[@bryonguenther6199]

Thanks for the info, great video by the way!

[@primitivepathways]

Thanks so much! Glad u liked it.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Hi Billy, beautiful bow and very interesting video. What kind of string do you have on this bow and is the arrow nock area served with a different material?

[@primitivepathways]

Alan Shook The string is made of sinew. The nocks of the bow are not served with anything, but they do have sinew wrappings just below the shoulder where the string rests. The arrow nock is also wrapped with sinew.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Thanks for the reply Billy. I met you once at the traditional archery shoot that they used to have near Hickory NC. That was probably over 10 years ago now. Do you still go to any knap ins? Keep up the good work.

[@primitivepathways]

Oh wow! Yes I remember that shoot! Can't believe it's been that long. I do go to the North GA knap in every April, but that's the closest one to my house. I have so much other stuff going on that I don't make it to any others, unfortunately.

[@gabbagandalf8337]

But arent you loosing tons of arrowspeed and penetretion?

[@calebchristian404]

Can u make a video on how to make hide glue. Fantastic video same as usual👍

[@primitivepathways]

Thanks Caleb! There are lots of other videos on here that show how to make hide glue so I may not cover that one, but thanks for the input.

[@tgchism]

Nicely done video!

[@kading7689]

Wow that is sooo cool i am actually in California right now on vacation this is very interesting and i also have a question do you have any more bow building classes coming up soon i really want to go to one

[@primitivepathways]

Planning on having another one this summer in July in Chiloquin, Oregon. Visit paintedbowranch.com for more info

[@dougg1075]

Interesting how most ancient archers I.e. Turkish, Mongolian and Chinese shoot with the arrow on the left side ( right handed)

[@xserpnt8468]

Great video! I'm curious when the Paiute bow making DVD is coming out, real excited for that one!

[@primitivepathways]

I'm gonna try to finish it by this coming summer. It's gonna be AWESOME.

[@Aaron-ud6wk]

Thanks for posting. This method of shooting is interesting to say the least, but seems impractical for hunting situations for those of us that shoot the common way. Unless of course you practice as you mentioned!

[@austinmago9615]

Respectfully on the contrary! This style lends its self fantastically to ground hunting. Chanting the bow that amount allows you to shoot from lower or tighter positions. However I could see there being issues with longer distance shooting or possibly shooting from trees. Defiantly something to get used to though but with practice 10-12 yard shots should be spot on.

[@primitivepathways]

Yes it is a rather difficult style to use for hunting, especially if you've grown up shooting English Longbow style. But for Ishi, he used this shooting technique his entire life and he survived with it. So it can definitely be an effective shooting technique if you practice and get good with it!

[@Aaron-ud6wk]

Primitive Pathways That is true. He did literally “live” off of this shooting style. Can’t argue with that. I can see this style being effective with short and wide sinew backed bows, like the ones he’s used. I just started building my cane arrows with an eastern style two fletch, I need to practice groupings with that before I try this shooting style out. Thanks again Billy, great video and very informative.

[@Aaron-ud6wk]

austin mago I think that’s why I imagined it being difficult. I’m so used too shooting my long Sudbury designs with 26”-28” draw lengths I would get intimidated with a style like Ishi’s. But it would be fun too learn!

[@jameskozlowski9257]

looks less powerful a draw then the standard European method, I wonder if it works out to be slower to fire multiple times.

[@primitivepathways]

It's not as powerful as the Mediterranean grip, but it's still very effective with practice.

[@whiterabit09]

It's that just archery with extra steps? Seriously though, thanks for sharing....

[@bagherhabibi]

More video please

[@adroaldoribeiro4529]

I'm from Brazil and I really wish I could find some website to buy a stave from...but I've never found anyone that ships products like this to another country and where I live it is really difficult to find some good wood that can be cut without me getting arrested for it.

[@johnbland1585]

Black palm is one that was used down there. It has to be long though, lemon woodis from the carribean I'm from Florida and all of our Southeastern tribes usuallyade there bows long due to the humidity You should try to call contact some native people down there. They would be your best bet once you break the ice ,don't be a nerd be respectful though and they would most likely befriend you You have so much hard wood down there try another close by country.

[@neogeo1670]

Awesome video

[@primitivepathways]

Thanks!

[@ИванДраго-ы8ж]

grip you bow like crossbow, )) very intresting method but if you have more then #60 pounds bow i think it's very difficult shoot like this...

[@thehornetsnestforge1269]

It's not with practice. 65+ lbs pulls just as easy this way once your muscles get used to it

[@ardysmith9987]

Like your videos,i'am trying to make pine sap glue I seen in one of your other videos.

[@dimfuturefilms9070]

Ardy Smith Make sure to add plenty of charcoal powder and rabbit droppings! And make sure the sap doesn't boil when u heat it, boiling is loses a lot of its strength

[@jasongenova1741]

Are those arrows homemade?

[@primitivepathways]

Yes they are!!

[@KowboyUSA]

Sweet! I gotta try it.

[@macstevendevilla9682]

I wish I can watch it in slow mo. So i can see the arrow rotate

[@gristlevonraben]

great video

[@dallashammond1986]

So cool

[@thebossmandippin2018]

nice man

[@13Mystery13]

TYVM 💜

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Nice!

[@limoranch]

I doubt Ishi shot like that as a young boy...as he aged probably needed to modify his release later in life.

[@tomreed5743]

With that short of draw you’d need an 80 pound pull bow to kill a deer , I could see shooting a rabbit or other small game that way , but an elk or bear ? Forgetaboutit.

[@deepseaknight416]

I wonder how the eastern natives shot their bows

[@Ozarkwonderer]

I find this style cool but very awkward. And hard on my hands

[@primitivepathways]

OzarkWanderer yes it is awkward and will blister your thumb until it develops a callous.

[@luffyplasticman4371]

I love native american facts and history. This was awesome😀 HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE and NEW YEARS BILLY😂 🎊⭐🎉🌟🎈🌠✨🎇🎆🌌🐶🐕🐩🐺🎆🎇🌌🌟🌠✨🎉🎊🎈 it's the year of the dog hehe.

[@primitivepathways]

Thanks happy new year to you too!

[@carlbowman3366]

Just remember Ishi was almost starved to death when he came stumbling out of the wilderness so I wouldn't put much stock in his method 😁 J/K I know his number was encroachment into his area by whites for a large part. Great video thanks I really appreciate all of your efffort.. You Tube is the best encyclopedia out there if you want to put a new wrinkle on your brain but to often people who make these go thankless by those that benefit from them so when I make sure to let the artist.know it's honestly appreciated.

[@АлександрИванов-з1з6ш]

Локоть вниз..

[@stanzinjigdal4789]

Archer has more curves than bow

[@alexyatsyuk70]

This method does not give you a full bow potencial

[@thehornetsnestforge1269]

It does when done correctly

[@alexyatsyuk70]

@thehornetsnestforge1269 no , only vertical position implyes the maximal bow string draw angle.and if the bow is strong, you need push and pull technics rather then only pull

[@archer5722]

5th

[@benjaminvera3736]

Dang I guess making my bow ambidextrous really helped

[@dallashammond1986]

Almost like the Japanese letting there bow move

[@sonoftheway3528]

open a primitive skills school in ohio

[@future7944]

Ho is eshy