I'm new to the site and new to bow making. I'm wondering if there are any other bowyers on here that live in or around Des Moines, Iowa? I'd love to meet some other people in the area that I could visit with and learn from.
The Nebraska Traditional Archers club has an annual bow/arrow building workshop in the late spring/early summer in Fremont, NE. That would be about a 3 hour drive for you. We meet at a really cool facility (The Isaak Walton Cabin) and have a great time building, learning, shooting, etc. Here's a link to their page:
http://nebraskatraditionalarchers.org/
They also hold an AWESOME 3-D shoot complete with vendors, bow building, camping, potlucks, auctions, guest speakers, etc. in Fremont on Labor Day weekend. It's one of the best around and draws shooters nationwide.
There will be a 2-3 day, all trad. event in Ames. Check w/Ia. Bowhunters & Gene Winters.