Archery, Projectiles, and Canoeing: Secrets of the Forest

By Mark Warren

In this fourth volume of the "Secrets of the Forest" series, outdoor educator Mark Warren describes the details of how to make and operate the tools that hurl projectiles toward a target including:


- "firing" techniques of a sling, spear, atl-atl, bow and arrow, throwing knife, tomahawk, and blowgun.

- a comprehensive lesson in the art of archery that includes the direct, lob, and clout shots, as well as shooting at a moving target.

- primitive precision methods of creating your own Cherokee self-bow and rivercane arrows.

- cementing projectile skills through a gamut of games and challenges.



The second half of the book provides lessons on tandem canoeing, beginning on a lake or pond and evolving to whitewater. The pre-education of paddling starts on a creek with a self-made model boat to understand the dynamics of moving water. On the lake, using a full-sized canoe, paddlers learn how to take control of their craft. Once on current, paddlers are introduced to the never-relenting march of moving water, a phenomenon that must figure into every river maneuver, from planning routes by "reading" the water, eddy turns, lateral ferry maneuvers, peel-outs, hovering in place, and running rapids "dry," to river-rescue of capsized boats and "swimmers," and the joy and instruction of slalom. This volume contains more than two hundred original adventures.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 149304561X
• ISBN13: 9781493045617
• Release Date: November 2020
• Publisher: Lyons Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.4" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Archery is My New Favorite Hobby!

After taking classes with Mark Warren for more than 25 years, these books are the perfect addition to my collection of nature books. Not only do the "Secrets of the Forest" books contain all the information you need on their respective subjects, they are beautiful to read. They are full of many nature and animal encounters, and some amusing anecdotes. I highly recommend this series! Volume 4 is for anyone who would like to better their canoeing skills, and especially for those wanting to learn the details of the "Power Stroke", and for those who teach canoeing to adults or to children.