John McIntosh of Ontonagon county designs, builds and hunts with a traditional longbow. Under the name Copper Country Bows, McIntosh uses his dedication and love of archery to design bows for archers of any skill level.

John McIntosh shooting a longbow

For an Ontonagon County archer, the longbow is not just what he hunts with. It is what he makes.

John McIntosh legally has an Ontonagon Township address, but he really lives in the Forest. Originally McIntosh is from North Branch, MI.  He moved to Ontonagon County in 2017.

“We retired and relocated to the Ontonagon area for the hunting and fishing opportunities as well as the beauty this region offers. I’ve hunted and fished in the UP off and on many years, (and) bear hunting these forests holds a tight grip on me,” explained McIntosh. 

McIntosh started hunting at 12. He started hunting with traditional bows in the mid 90s. 

He prefers hunting with traditional archery gear, mainly the longbow. He goes on to say, “but early (in his life) also with recurves. I like the simplicity of a traditional bow, as well as the challenge. As a shorter range bow typically, it makes you a better hunter.” 

Being a better hunter doesn’t just mean having good aim.

“Getting close is the name of the game. Bow hunting was never meant to be a long range affair, it’s about how close you can get. Not how far you can shoot.”

The avid archer can certainly hit targets at further distances. He loves the challenge of shots under 15 yards.

“Actually prefer them 10 and under. I love that close game. I no longer hunt from tree stands, I like a good ground game. Looking a bear in the eye at 9 yards, at ground level is about as exciting a time a guy can have in the woods.”

While many hunters enjoy hunting with a bow, few have the ambition to actually build their own. Even less actually go into the business of selling the longbows they design and build.

“I started building longbows 3 years ago, something I have wanted to do for many years.  Being retired now, I was finally able to put my shop together and get started.  As a result, Copper Country Bow Works was born,” McIntosh states.  “It’s been an amazing journey. I have been around the traditional archery community for many years, and it truly is a passion and a lifestyle. Building bows, and seeing the enjoyment and the smiles on faces of customers is very rewarding.” 

When he started making the longbows, he wanted was a name that represents the Upper Peninsula and its history.  “Each of my 3 models are named accordingly; The Keweenaw, The Ottawa, and the Norwich model longbows. They are all named to reflect upon the deep rooted history of our region.

As he develops other models, the names will continue to represent the Upper Peninsula. 

One may think that every Longbow he builds is the same. According to McIntosh, he has built a variety of longbows.

The longbow has been around for centuries in several different styles and configurations. 

“Many do not realize the longbow was the original weapon of war for the British and other armies. There are several styles of longbows on the market today, and with the popularity and longstanding use, there’s something to fit anyone’s preferred style, from selfbows shaped out of a wood stave with a drawknife, to bows made by laminating wood and fiberglass. From there, they can be made in several styles, such as the Hill Style/ASL, a hybrid reflex/deflex design, and be a one, two, or 3 piece bow.”

Despite the different attributes and styles associated with the long history of the longbow, there are a few imperatives.

“What defines a longbow is the limbs. In a recurve bow, there is a distinct curve at the ends of the limbs.  The bowstring will be in contact with the end part of the limb after the string leaves the string groove at the tip. A longbow must be so that there is no string contacting the belly of the limb after it leaves the string grooves in the tip,” explains McIntosh.

“I build a hybrid reflex/deflex style longbow, which has some curvature to the limbs, but not nearly as what a recurve bow has,”  He goes on to say, “Michigan is home to many very skilled bowyers who build pretty much any style out there. And while our bows are very similar, each bowyer adds his own details and designs.  Talk to any bowyer, and you’ll soon learn we are all pretty much fans of others craftsmanship as well. It’s a wonderful fraternity to be part of.”

Some longbow archers hunt small game, and big game. Very big game.  Such as McIntosh who downed a 600 pound Bear from 9 yards away.

“There is not a game animal on the planet that has not been taken with traditional archery equipment.  From partridge and rabbits to deer, moose, elk, bison.  As well as dangerous African game, the longbow is a very efficient and effective hunting tool.” Practice, a well-tuned arrow with a razor sharp broadhead will quickly take any animal you wish to hunt.”

Getting a 600 pound Bear at 9 yard means McIntosh had to have the confidence in his bow in killing the Bear, along with the skill of hitting his target at such a close range.  

“As with anything else, to be at the top of your game means you need to practice. Shooting instinctively, using your natural hand-eye coordination, rather than sights, does have a learning curve to it.”

He states that once the shooting of a longbow is mastered, it is not difficult to maintain.

McIntosh states that he hears a lot of bow hunters say they would love to try traditional gear but ‘do not have the time to practice.’ 

“It’s really not as difficult as they imagine, and with a little instruction and shooting, it will kick in. I shoot year round because frankly, I love shooting bows. I love watching that beautiful flight of the arrow, and I know everything that goes right or wrong in a shot is of my own doing.”

McIntosh compares shooting a longbow to golfing. 

“Golfers will understand this for sure.   While I’m fully capable of somewhat longer shots, for me getting close, that is what really gets me excited”

The owner of Copper Country Bows goes on to say, “If you think it’s tough getting off a 20 yard shot, try drawing on a wise old deer at 3 yds.”

McIntosh admits to getting ‘busted’ a few times, however he states it made him to learn to be a better hunter.   In place of hunting with a longbow, there are many more who enjoy archery, who do not hunt, or intend to hunt with a bow.  The sport of archery is centuries old and whether you are shooting targets, stumps, 3D animal targets on archery ranges, or at clubs  or competing in a host of different contests of skill and luck, McIntosh states that archery is a fabulous family activity for all ages.

“I am a member of several archery and bow hunting organizations. Most hold annual rendezvous where families camp, and shoot bows all weekend. Kids as young as 3-4 years old, and on up into the 90’s all sharing their love of traditional archery.”

One might be concerned about safety knowing that the longbow has the power to bring down any size animal.  Archery equipment does not kill by “power” per se, as a firearm might. Their effectiveness lies in the arrow, and a razor sharp broadhead.  The power behind that arrow, what pushes it comes from energy released by the limbs. Matching your bow and your arrow setup is more important than a particular draw weight of the bow.

“You want an efficient and capable combination to do so.”

McIntosh currently uses the Norwich model longbow. 

“One I designed and prototyped last winter.  All of the bows at Copper Country Bow Works can be made with most any hardwood.  The riser {handle} portion and the limbs can be just about anything.   

“Limbs are laminated strips of core woods which are always the same, the outer layer can be a thin veneer of pretty much any wood laminated under the final lamination of clear fiberglass.”

Copper Country Bows also does bows with colored fiberglass.   Whatever a customer wants. 

“I love playing with different woods, to combine them into a bow that not only looks great, but shoots great too. I do like to use locally acquired woods such as figured maples, and ash. But I also use imported exotic woods from around the world. Being a woodworker and a bowyer, it’s the best of both worlds. Wood fascinates me with the beauty hidden inside it.”

McIntosh has sold longbows to archers from all over the UP, and several other states.

As far as arrows, McIntosh currently shoots carbon shaft arrows for hunting big game, as well as wood arrows for small game and ‘goofing off.’ 

“Not to say wood arrows are not capable of being used for big game, they certainly are.  I just have not made the time to build myself any in some time.”  He looks at his wife and quietly states, “Although it is on my list of winter goals to do.  I love hunting snowshoe hares with my bow in the winter months.”

If you are interested in having McIntosh build you a customized longbow, you can contact him coppercpuntrybows@gmail.com, or call/text 810-614-8248.  Their website is.   www.coppercountrybows.com. The Website shows many pictures of available in stock bows, as well as information. 

“If you would like to order one custom built to your specifications. I’m always happy to answer questions and help anyone interested in traditional archery,” concluded McIntosh.