My DS had the opportunity (me paying for the class) to learn the basics of bowmaking: self bow/longbow. The real trick is getting the right wood. Of course, extreme patience is necessary when it snaps in half when you are tillering it (archery lingo).

You can find tons'o'info on ArcheryTalk.com. My DS is on there all the time getting info, tricks, blah, blah, blah Just like this forum for us.