Primitive Archery Workshops
1-6 Days
Join Correy in his shop and learn how to make any and all primitive archery gear that strikes your interest! You'll craft the bows and arrows of our ancestors with nothing but simple hand tools; be it a selfbow fitted to your personal draw length and desired draw weight, wooden arrows handmade from scratch, or a hand-stitched bison hide quiver.
All courses listed below are accessible to all skill levels! You don't need prior archery or woodworking experience, but must be teachable and willing to follow instructions. Take years of trial and error off the learning curve with guidance from a Master Bowyer and focused individual attention.
Booking is open for both one-on-one and group instruction.
We've now hosted well over 100 students, and no one has left here without a bow they can be proud of. We've greatly enjoyed teaching our formal group courses over the years, but feel that this new and comprehensive mentorship program will enable more people to learn the art of bow and arrow making at their own pace.
The minimum required days listed next to each course is the estimated completion time for a diligent worker. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, you're welcome to book additional days.
Mix and match or stack courses to tailor your experience.
For example, if you'd like to cut and process bow staves AND make a whitewood bow in the same trip, you'll book 4 days. Or, if you'd like to make an osage orange bow and a set of arrows, you can book the 4-day osage course and come back at a later time to complete the 2-day arrow course.
Stacked courses do not have to be completed back-to-back; but we highly recommend completing each individual course in one sitting. For example, it's best not to break a single 4-day course into separate bookings.
Start-to-Finish Courses
Board Bows (2 days) - Bows from hardware store boards.
Wooden Arrows (2 days) - Hand-planed arrows from boards.
Whitewood Selfbows (3 days) - Bows from common hardwoods.
Native American Bows (3 days) - Replica longbows or shortbows.
English Longbows (3 days) - Archer-tall, round-bellied longbows.
Osage Selfbows (4 days) - Optimized osage orange hunting bows.
Survival Bow & Arrows (4 days) - Green bows & arrows made in the wild.
Available Add-Ons
Harvest & Prepare Bow Wood (1 day) - Process a live tree into staves.
Fire-Harden a Whitewood Bow (1 day) - Increases the performance of whitewoods.
Hand-Stitched Quiver (1 day) - Make a 12-arrow bison hide quiver.
Tiller a Bow You're Already Working On (1 day)
Primitive Bow Marksmanship Clinic (1 day)
Open Shop Time / Mentorship (1 day) - Work on or get advice on current projects.
What We Do Not Teach
Horn composite bows.
Takedown bows.
Fiberglass laminates.
Modern carbon arrows.
These courses are not meant to be step-by-step walkthroughs. It is my goal to help you understand the process and teach you the skills needed to make your own archery tackle for life. I owe you my undivided attention and enthusiasm as your instructor. We will welcome you into our home and return your generosity with an extraordinary experience!
$350.00 per day, per student.
(all-inclusive, no tax)
Maximum 3 students for groups.
SCROLL DOWN FOR BOOKING CALENDAR.
What to Expect :
Class in all courses runs from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM CST each day.
Due to our new and reduced rates, meals are no longer provided.
There's a 1.5 hour lunch break at 1:00pm, and many food options near the shop.
I like a relaxed shop environment, but come prepared to work hard. It takes some physical exertion to turn a quartered log into a bow. You can expect to be standing on concrete for hours at a time and plenty of pulling/pushing with hand tools. Your bow and arrows wouldn't be as awesome if you didn't sweat for them, right?!
Must be age 19 or older to attend the class alone (sorry, Nebraska's rules).
Anyone under 19 must be accompanied by a parent. The parent does not need to buy an extra spot unless they also plan to build a bow, but will need to remain onsite while their son/daughter works. Not recommended for anyone under age 15 due to the labor-intensive nature of the course.
You'll want to bring a pair of closed toe shoes to wear in the shop, and some shirts/pants you don't mind getting dirty.
Amenities :
-Materials provided.
-Tools provided.
-Coffee and water provided.
-High-speed WiFi.
-Shop has heat in winter.
-Shop has AC in summer.
-Free tent/car/overlander camping.
(No generators please)
-On-site power available.
-On-site shower is available.
-On-site fire pit.
-25 minutes from Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA).
No pets - no exceptions. We love all kinds of animals, but no matter how well-behaved, pets cause distractions. Please respect the other patrons who've paid good money to attend and leave pets at home. Thanks for understanding!
Deposit for Booking :
A $350 Good Faith Deposit is required upfront to hold dates, and each additional day is $350.
Payment in full for all selected days guarantees your reservation. Please include all required information when using our calendar. You will receive a digital invoice that accepts all major forms of payment within 24 hours of booking.
Deposits and additional payments are transferable to another date within the same calendar year when in compliance with the 30-day cancellation policy.
Cancellation & Rescheduling :
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please do so at least 30 days prior to the class! When you cancel inside 30 days, there's very little chance we'll refill the dates.
Cancellations made inside 30 days will forfeit the $350 deposit. You will need to submit a second deposit to select new dates.
Travel & Lodging :
Held in Plattsmouth, Nebraska.
You are responsible for travel expenses to and from the class. This includes any plane tickets, rental cars, fuel expenses, lodging (if not camping onsite), and food other than the provided lunches and snacks.
Free tent and RV camping with electrical and a fire pit is available onsite.
If you prefer to stay in a motel or hotel, the class location is only 10 minutes away from Bellevue, Nebraska and 20 minutes away from Omaha, Nebraska. There are many hotels, motels, restaurants and grocery stores inside a 20-minute drive. I can provide more information about local accommodations once you've booked a class.
View Our Openings:
I look forward to making primitive archery gear together!
Testimonials:
"Organic Archery was originally recommended to me as one of the best in the business. I signed up for the Whitewood Course and within the first few hours of instruction I knew the Osage Course needed to be added to my list. I signed up that night.
Not only is Correy extremely knowledgeable about the entire process, but he has a very down-to-Earth teaching style. It's not often you find someone so knowledgeable and well-known for their skills who is also humble about it and can explain things in an easily understood way.
I have taken multiple other bow building courses taught by well-known instructors (all of which were great), but Correy's classes easily stand out for the smaller class size (by design), the quality of his building equipment, and his method of instruction. I greatly enjoyed the time spent around the campfire and the archery competition at the end of each class."
-Luke K.
"I previously took Correy's Whitewood Workshop, which provides the fundamentals of bow making using common hardwoods such as Hackberry. One of the highlights of these workshops is the hands-on approach. We each have the opportunity to create our own bow from scratch, with Correy providing personalized guidance and feedback throughout the process. The workshop makes complex techniques accessible even to those who might not have extensive woodworking experience.
The Osage Workshop focused on crafting a bow out of osage orange wood. It builds on some of the concepts learned in the whitewood course but introduces a substantial amount of new techniques and information. The concepts and methods would not have been easily extrapolated from techniques learned from books or online videos. Once again, the hands-on experience was invaluable and allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of bow making."
-Steve Z.
"I had an amazing time at Correy's shop crafting a bow out of osage orange. The shop itself is immaculate. Everything is well-organized and clearly set up to foster creativity and precision. Correy's attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the workspace.
The osage wood we used was top-notch, and it's clear why it's a favorite for bow makers - its strength and flexibility make it ideal for creating functional, durable bows.
If you're considering a bowmaking workshop, I can't recommend Organic Archery enough. The combination of skill, welcoming hospitality, and quality materials is unmatched!"
-Ryan M.
"Two years ago, I took the Whitewood Workshop, and have since worked with osage - chasing rings, twisting, bending, and doing all sorts of punishing things to the poor wood. You may wonder why I'd join an Osage Workshop focused on things I've already been doing. The answer is simple – anyone who's made a bow knows full well there's always something to learn.
Even with my first experience with Correy being so rewarding, I still went into the workshop with a little apprehension. All that apprehension was gone within minutes of arriving. Whether it's your first time meeting or you're returning for another workshop, the hospitality you receive is as warm as you'd expect from a decades old friend. All this makes getting to work effortless, although you might feel it later that night or the next morning!
As mentioned before, I've already done a fair amount of work with osage wood, bendy handles, and pyramidal bows. The bow I made in the course incorporated all those things with the addition of a complicated cross-section. To achieve this, I learned a new approach to tillering, a much easier method of chasing rings (3x faster than my previous approach), and a better way to correct twist and bends.
Throughout the process of drafting, planning and reducing there was plenty of autonomy. Correy allowed me to focus on my work and jumped in with instruction when he knew I was having a snag. Good instructors are watching even when you don't think they are. Tillering was much more of a conversation about what we were seeing in the bow's movement, instead of instruction on what was happening. The whole process takes place as a conversation between friends and it makes the experience so much better and more educational.
I left the Osage Workshop with the skills I need to be able to craft some truly extraordinary and advanced bow styles (I'm looking at you, paddle bows). The hardest part of the course was saying goodbye.
Good luck and shoot straight!"
-Michael W.
"The Whitewood Workshop sparked a true passion within me. I had followed Correy on Instagram for quite some time before attending, and by day two of being there I had my mind set ~ if there was ever an Osage Course offered, I’d be there.
Lo and behold, the following year the osage class was offered and I did everything I could to make it happen. Once again, Correy’s experience as a bowyer was everything a student could ask for. Along with his experience, the attitude he leads with as a teacher truly sets his workshops apart from the rest.
Working with osage was bliss. It’s a superior material for crafting self bows and I couldn’t be more happy with how my bow turned out. The workshop is a well oiled machine! The evening fires ignite camaraderie as well as a few good shovel talks.
I can’t wait to see what’s next for y’all! Cheers to Organic Archery!"
-Jared P. (got a deer with his osage bow!)
"I recently attended the 3-day intensive Whitewood Workshop with Organic Archery. I came into this course with a very limited woodworking or traditional archery background. Correy employed expert instruction and presented the curriculum in a way that was easy to follow and execute with limited supervision. This course is highly experiential and involves a soup-to-nuts approach to traditional bow making.
I came away from the course with newfound knowledge and skills that I can carry on and refine over time. I loved the lessons learned and fellowship with Correy, his wife Holly, and my fellow aspiring bowyers in the course. This was the best thing I've done for myself in a long, long time."
-Matthew M.
"After making a couple bows myself and constantly running into headaches, I showed up to the Whitewood Workshop, and with half the effort of my previous builds made a far superior product under Correy's watchful eye. He's the best teacher of any primitive skills course I've attended yet. His patience and knowledge base is incredible. This class being capped at 3 people is a huge plus, because it offers a more intimate setting to get to know one another and allows for equal attention to everyone's process.
Correy and his wife Holly are some of the most genuine people I've had the honor to spend time with. This class is the first time I've done something for myself in far too long. Both of my classmates, as well as Correy and Holly, helped keep me grounded, present, and taught me a lot about self-care.
The experience delivered in every way and more. The people and conversations in the shop and around the fire were all so genuine and engaging. There was talk of an Osage Course in the future, and without a doubt I am most interested in attending. Thank you Organic Archery, Correy, Holly, and Bruce!"
-Jared P.
"Not only do you make your own bow with confidence from Correy's instruction, but the hands-on experience (which is my form of learning) helps you to understand what the books are actually talking about when it comes to more complicated styles of bows. The skills you learn are applicable to all experience levels of bows. I've made many things I never would have considered attempting before the class. The bow you make in class is, in my opinion, one of the best all-around, versatile shooters you'll ever need. It's the skills that are basic; not the bow."
-Michael W.
"Building a bow to be able to hunt large game with has been a lifelong dream of mine. I'm a hunter, former Recon Marine and Scout Sniper, and have attended some of the best self-reliance schools in the world. The 3-Day Whitewood Course Correy puts on was by far my favorite. His ability to work at each individual student's speed and tailor the timeline to keep us engaged, but at the same time not work us too hard, was impressive. He was patient with his instruction and explained all the details of building your own bow "from tree to stick bow" with zero power tools!
This was the best hands-on learning I've ever received. To make things better, the hospitality was rivaled by nothing I've experienced at this price point. I've left this course with a new skillset I can pass down to my son as well as an amazing experience that I consider one hell of a vacation. 10 out of 10. Five-star rating. I will be back for follow on courses for sure."
-Mark D.
"I think the Organic Archery bow building class was maybe the best money I've ever spent. I approached the class with an open mind and a concentrated effort to learn as much as I could about bow making, and at the end of the first day my head was overflowing!
Every question I had was thoroughly covered with explanation and/or example. From questions about bows, arrows and quivers, to safety equipment, hand tools and tool maintenance. The whole weekend was well planned and executed. While the atmosphere was fairly relaxed, we still managed to get a ton of work done each day.
Beyond the experience of building my own bow for the first time, the level of hospitality shown to three strangers simply cannot be described. The ongoing friendship so freely given will never be forgotten. Thanks again!"
-Andrew C.
"This particular class was above and beyond anything I expected. The camaraderie was incredible. I didn’t know anyone prior to arrival. I left with three great relationships and hell of a bow! I have so much pride in the bow that I came home with.
You truly get to hand carve your own bow - no power tools! Correy provides assistance and expertise where needed, but you will do the majority of the work. He coaches you through each step and explains why you are doing it. Correy’s knowledge and experience with bow building is unmatched.
You can camp out on his property or get a hotel. I highly recommend camping. You get the full primitive experience. It was awesome to be able to unplug over the weekend. You will also eat some incredible food, and the local restaurants are great as well.
Correy went out of his way to make our experience the best it could be. I attended a summer class with extremely hot temperatures, and he had created a makeshift outdoor air conditioning unit! The thoughtfulness and attention to detail was very much appreciated! If you are wondering if you should take a class, you should! It’s worth every penny!
Grab some buddies, your spouse, or show up by yourself and take a class. You will have an incredible bow by the end of it, and an experience you'll never forget!"
-Seth A.
"What an amazing workshop! We learned all the basics as well as some pro tips when it comes to building. You should come prepared to work hard because it was a physically demanding process. It was fun to see the stave of wood we had in the beginning turn into this beautiful piece of art. Shooting on the third day was the most amazing experience knowing I made this majestic bow.
Overall, it was a very fulfilling and satisfying course. Correy was a master of the bow. He provided us with plenty of useful knowledge that will be hard to attain elsewhere. He did a perfect job splitting his attention between the three of us and he pitched in and helped when we needed it. I honestly think this is the best place, and Correy the best person to learn from. Finally, Correy had such a welcoming energy into his space, life and home. I recommend this class to anyone interested in building a bow.
PS - If you take the class in the future, say hi to Bruce for me. I'll miss that little fella :)"
-Lior L.
"My son and I attended Correy's first Whitewood Course in 2021. It was an incredible experience - starting with just a hackberry stave, in three days Correy walked us through the entire process of building a fully functional hunting bow.
With a small class, he was able to look over us each step of the way. He's a natural teacher, and given that we were all novices in this art, he took the time to explain each step in detail, watch over our progress, nudge us in the right direction, and of course fix our mistakes :). I recommend this class to anyone interested in bow making or just looking for a new experience."
-Steve Z.
"Worth every penny! As someone who's struggled with mental health in the past, this class helped me find my inner peace. The process of making a bow is both cathartic and motivating. After making something with your own two hands and firing that first arrow, you see something in yourself that brings joy.
If you are having a hard time or just want an escape from everyday crazy life, take a bowmaking course. If you want some amazing bonding time with others or someone you're close to, do this course with them. You'll meet amazing people and complete a common goal; one thing I miss from my days in the Army."
-Paul V.
"The opportunity to build a bow with one of the greats in the trade is a rare and treasured experience. This bow building class is just that! I had previously attempted a few selfbow builds based on YouTube videos. I can tell you, a class is an absolute gamechanger! Under Correy’s attentive eye, you're able to evade the many pitfalls that often plague novice bowyers, putting you years ahead of where you'd be figuring it out yourself. Correy shares his knowledge and experience with you, while patiently teaching at your level and having fun conversations along the way.
There were only two of us in the class, and hanging out working on bows and swapping stories made this a truly memorable experience. The skills you learn in the class alone are worth the price, not to mention the fact that you also head home with a properly crafted bow. Taking the wood from stave to bow yourself brings a level of connection to the final product that you wouldn’t have just purchasing a bow.
This experience is honestly priceless! I would do it again in a heartbeat to further refine my skills. Any level of previous experience, from greenhorn to seasoned expert would benefit from this class. 5-stars!"
-Jeremy C.
"'Organic Archery' pretty much sums it up! Taking a natural 6 ft long section of a tree trunk and turning it into a beautiful hand-crafted longbow is a process and experience not to be missed. The gorgeous hackberry bow I now have resulted from three days of Correy's knowledge and his innate ability to share it; a meaningful reflection of the camaraderie, learning and fun that I'll never forget.
Looking back now, it makes me think of the Native Americans enjoying the same process. Selecting a tree, transforming it into a weapon and an art piece, braiding a string and shooting countless arrows the way we did over the weekend. It was so satisfying to step away from work and the daily grind to focus on the process of a bow coming together.
Bucket list item checked! Thank you for everything!"
-Tom S.
"The 3-day Whitewood Workshop was an incredible experience! The process of taking a seasoned 6-foot piece of hardwood and turning it into a functional weapon with only hand tools is both physically demanding and incredibly satisfying. Correy's level of knowledge and experience combined with the way he shares/teaches that information makes for an informative, fun and satisfying experience. Not to mention the awesome bow I got to take home!
The hospitality and camaraderie can't be beat. 10/10 would take this class again and any other courses offered. Well worth the price!"
-Amy V.
"Correy is a true craftsman and a gentle warrior. His work ethic, attention to detail and humble spirit reflects in every bow he creates. I had the privilege to build a bow with him and to be completely honest, I cannot wait to bring a group with me next time and build another one. I crafted a Hackberry longbow with a 55# pull and a 24" draw.
This workshop was a gift from my wife and the resulting bow is one of my most cherished possessions. If you have the luxury of time, I recommend building a bow in one of these classes. If you have some extra money and a desire for a quality bow, invest in one from Correy. You'll be grateful every time you pick it up. Spending time with Correy and the class was the highlight of my summer.
Thank you for everything brother. Be well!"
-Chris B.