Meet the Yorkshire bushcraft expert teaching people to make bows and arrows on wilderness escapes

Boroughbridge-based Jamie Carle runs Bowyer Bushcraft which concentrates on a specific area of the sector. His courses are all about bow making. He’s been involved in bushcraft including bow making for twenty years and Jamie said he is finding his courses are more popular than ever and it’s not just because of what his course attendees make while they are with him.

“Coming along and learning a new skill is definitely a big attraction, but any type of bushcraft is also about having broken away from the office or wherever your work might be. Sometimes that work may be stressful and bushcraft courses offer the opportunity to be away from work, away from family, outdoors breathing in a different air.

“There’s nothing that beats that feeling, when you are sat around the fire or the sun is shining and you’re making friends who share a common interest. It makes it a very therapeutic atmosphere for everyone, it refreshes your soul and that’s why people call it being at one with nature.

“In a sense, for your wellbeing, it’s more the experience of being out in the wild that is perhaps more important than the skills you might learn.

Jamie said that he has gone market specific on bow making because it suits him and because the overall bushcraft sector has become far more populated by instructors, due to the popularity of the genre.

“There has been a real push towards getting outdoors and back to the wild. We have great guys like Ray Mears who have done so much for bushcraft and the explosion of going green on social media spread it massively.

“I was talking to a marketing expert the other day who said don’t forget to advertise to vegans because bushcraft is seen as this green, healthy, get out into the woods hobby that attracts earthy types and healthy types, but really I get people from all walks of life from headmasters to retired men and women, and from people in their late 30s to 50s.

“There’s an increasing number of females, and they do really well. Men tend to have a thing with their ego and mention that their dad taught them how to shoot, whereas most women just listen.

“Bow making is now my lead course. Everyone on the course will make a flat bow or self bow, either name is acceptable. The flat bow is more the bow your hunter-gatherer would make and is as tall as me, nearly 6 foot. They are also called pyramid bows.

“People say, what’s the best wood to make a bow? Most use ash. Conservation plans on most people’s land allows for the cutting of ash. There are a lot of factors to consider that include having a straight grain and no knots and that it’s not too hard to carve. I hear people talking about wanting yew, but a yew staithe can cost £300, and that’s how much the course costs.

Jamie is keen to stress that his bow making courses are not intended for anyone under 18 years of age.

“I make knives as well and we also make arrows for the bows. It’s a common misconception, perhaps perpetrated by the fact that Bear Grylls is involved with the Scouts movement that bushcraft is for children. It can be, but not on my courses as it is potentially quite dangerous making bows and arrows, and making knives.

“The courses, which are held over three days, are also not a get away from it all and get drunk one night. I can’t really have people getting drunk. Maybe a bottle of beer, but that’s it. I keep it professional. But it doesn’t mean those who come on the bow making course have to take on a fully immersive bushcraft course and sleep rough. I want people to be comfortable. They can come in whatever they want. Some come in a camper van. Others might tie up a hammock or build a shelter.

Jamie found his vocation at an early age.

“I had an outdoor education instructor called Mike Armstrong at school in Grassington, that had the River Wharfe running through it and woodland. He had a similar bushcraft business and saw my enthusiasm for the outdoor life. It was his investment of time that encouraged me.

“Little did I know that the teaching he was giving to me over survival in the woods would also end up teaching me how to survive in life. Sadly, Mike passed away about four years ago, but I still refer to him as my bushcraft father.

“Mike trained me how to make a bow, and about woodland life. It sparked off my lifelong relationship between the bow and bushcraft and his influence led me to taking up a place at a woodcraft school in East Sussex on a bushcraft leadership programme. I was 17 and the youngest person in the UK to do it. My instructor was John Ryder who was Ray Mears’ head instructor for 10 years. I feel truly blessed to have received such quality instruction.

“In my advanced bushcraft leadership programme, I learned woodland ecology and woodland management, enabling me to understand the different use of trees and the relationship between management plans.

“Being in woodland and nature is wonderful. It is where I work and is also my relaxation.

You can find out more about Jamie’s three-day Bowyer Bushcraft courses by visiting www.bowyerbushcraft.co.uk