The Art of Traditional Bow Making with Joe Hernandez

Traditional craftsmanship is alive and well in West Texas. In this episode of the Sibley Nature Center podcast, host Michael Nickell sits down with Joe Eddie Hernandez, an Odessa-based bowyer—a craftsman who builds traditional handmade bows. Joe shares how his journey into bow making began, including the training that shaped his craft and the origin of the name “Loco Pony.” What started as curiosity eventually turned into a deep passion for creating functional works of art. The conversation explores the fascinating process of building bows from materials like Osage wood, bamboo, and horn, along with the tools, patience, and skill required to create them. Joe also explains how bows are calibrated, how different designs impact power and speed, and how historical cultures developed their own bow-making techniques. Visitors to Sibley Nature Center can currently see many of Joe’s handcrafted bows on display as part of a special exhibit highlighting the artistry behind this ancient craft. Whether you’re interested in traditional archery, craftsmanship, or West Texas makers, this episode offers a fascinating look into a craft that connects modern artisans to centuries of history. 0:00 Introduction 0:30 Meet Joe Eddie Hernandez 1:20 What Is a Bowyer? 3:00 The Origin of “Loco Pony” 5:00 Joe’s Bow Exhibit at Sibley Nature Center 6:30 Can Anyone Learn to Make a Bow? 9:00 Tools and Techniques of Bow Making 11:00 Learning from Other Bowyers 12:00 Osage Wood and Traditional Materials 14:30 Recurve Bow Design Explained 17:00 Building a Horn Bow 19:00 Historical Bow Making Traditions 21:30 How Bow Strength Is Measured 24:00 Matching Bow Strength to the Archer