The Bowyer’s Bench
In a fast-moving digital world, ancient crafts are often left behind. Yet, one man—Correy Hawk, better known as The Organic Archer—has not only revived the time-honored art of bow making but also built a thriving community around it. Through his renowned Organic Archery Bowmaking School, Correy welcomes newcomers and seasoned bowyers alike to slow down, shape wood with their hands, and rediscover an ancient connection between nature, craftsmanship, and self.
Figure 1: Correy harvested a dandy whitetail doe with self-made bow and arrows.
Origin Story
Correy’s story begins in the American heartland, where hunting and traditional archery were woven into his upbringing. But it wasn’t until after his service in the United States Marine Corps that bow making became a refuge—and ultimately, a calling.
Seeking solace and creativity after military life, Correy began by crafting wooden arrows. He soon transitioned to bows, building dozens by hand, gifting many to friends, and only selling them when he felt the work had truly earned the value of another’s hard-earned money. Through late nights, trial, error, and endless research, and a call to entrepreneurship Organic Archery was born.
Figure 02: Osage selfbow, arrows, and quiver made by hand.
So You Want to be a Bowyer?
Figure 04: Correy outlines the fine detail of limb design with students of the Bowmaking 101 Course.
In 2018, Correy made a bold leap—leaving full-time work to focus solely on his bow-making passion. He opened the Organic Archery Bowmaking School with a mission to share knowledge, foster connection, and preserve tradition.
The school offers workshops for all levels—from complete novices to skilled craftspeople. Each class is filled with warmth, purpose, and personal instruction, reflecting Correy’s deep love for the craft.
“I like nothing more than teaching this to other people,” says Correy. “Bringing in people from all walks of life—from across the country and even other countries—and showing them this ancient art of bow making.”
In 2024, he introduced an advanced course, giving students the opportunity to design and build more complex bows from Osage orange wood. While the introductory workshop is a three-day experience using whitewood—ideal for first-timers—the advanced course allows for more customization, from short Native American horse bows to tall English war bows. The only requirement? A passion to learn.
Author’s Note: I personally attended the Bowmaking 101 workshop, walking in with zero experience and walking out with a hunting-weight hackberry longbow. The experience put my life on a different path—one that values simplicity, mindfulness, and the ancient pursuit of wild game with a stick and a string. This October, I’ll return to build a heavy-draw, Comanche-inspired shortbow in the advanced course.
Reverence for History
Beyond teaching, Correy immerses himself in the history of archery, recreating historical bows from cultures around the globe. His specialty lies in authentic, smooth shooting, wooden bows, each crafted in the spirit of ancient traditions. Correy is a lifelong learner, and has spent over a decade diving into the literature of ancient bowyers, artisans, and warriors.
Figure 05: Eastern Woodlands inspired replica.
Work-Life Balance on the Homestead
Despite his growing success, Correy remains deeply grounded. A family man and homesteader, his days are structured with balance in mind: mornings and evenings are for family and farm work, while the midday hours are reserved for deep focus in the workshop.
He credits much of his well-being to this intentional rhythm, support from his wonderful wife, Holly, and emphasizes that adaptability—especially for entrepreneurs—is essential.
Parting Thoughts
Whether you dream of building your own bow, hunting your own food, or simply stepping away from the noise, Correy’s journey is a powerful reminder that ancient crafts can still shape modern lives.
Registration for Correy’s upcoming workshops is now open, including both foundational and advanced courses. Visit Organic Archery’s website to learn more, reserve your spot, or explore his custom bows and educational resources.
About the Author: Matthew Morris is a long-time hunter, aspiring bowyer, and family man. He is the host of the Bowyer Podcast, where he chats with masters of their craft to uncover the deeper “why” behind reviving the old ways in a modern world.