Just one hour with Steve Burke will take you back through centuries of time. Growing up along Georgia’s Ogeechee River in Jenkins County, Steve Burke spent his childhood like many young boys raised in
the country, exploring the woods, fields, and riverbanks in search of all of the boyhood treasures nature provides. He was particularly fascinated by the abundant American Indian artifacts he found. That fascination became a passion that he holds til this day and shares with many.
Simply studying the artifacts wasn’t enough. Steve wanted to better understand how they were made, how they were used, and what role they played in the lives of those who depended on them day to day. While it would take a volume of books to hold his knowledge on the subject, we were fortunate enough to experience his popular presentation in which he not only displays and explains the weapons and tools, but gives detailed explanations of methods used by the natives.
The first thing you notice is Steve’s authentic buckskin outfit. It’s not a fake. It was crafted by Steve from hat to moccasins and everywhere in between using the methods he learned from years of study.
Tanning a skin If you’re going to tan a skin the really old fashioned way you’re going to experience two things; some dirty, hard work and a lot of satisfaction.
To make a smooth skin you will need to remove both the outer and inner layer by scraping it. To keep the fur on the outside remove just inner layer. When planning to keep the fur intact be sure to scrape the inner layer in the tail to head direction or you’ll damage the follicles and lose the fur.
First thing you’ll need is brains. We’re not talking about intelligence, we mean brains.....literally. An interesting fact to know is that all animals except snakes (and previously dinosaurs) have a brain large enough to tan their own hide. The enzymes in the animals brain have the right properties to soften the hide to make it suitable for a variety of uses including clothing. To properly activate the enzymes, the brain should be heated in water until grey in color. Then using a blender (a hand blender will do) make a mixture about the consistancy of gravy so that it will stay on the hide without running off. The better the mixture absorbs into the skin the better your result will be, so take the skin in your hands and twist, rub, and work the mixture into the skin as best you can.
If you have enough of the mixture you may want to leave it soaking for a period of time.
You’ll notice as your hide dries it’s more of a white color than the tan look you’re used to seeing. That’s where smoking it comes in. By smoking the skin with cedar wood, you’ll make it rain proof, insect repellant, and darken the color all at the same time.
Weapons Of course before tanning a hide you have to get a hide. Although Steve prefers to work with animals that have already been killed by other means (See roadkill), he has an extensive array of weapons including spears, a blow gun, and a beautiful hand crafted bow and arrow.
The blowgun is surprisingly powerful and would make an effective, accurate weapon for battle or hunting. The darts are made of reed with cattail (the plant, not the animal) feathers.
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According to Steve, “Just about any kind of tree can make a bow, but the string has to be right”. The string on his bow is made of deer tendon and is rated up to 600lbs. Deer tendon makes it’s own glue, especially when mixed with saliva. Stripping it lenghtwise, chewing on it, and working it together makes excellent bow strings, rope, and much more. Steve’s arrows are made from river reed with turkey feathers and tipped with arrowheads he made himself. The tip is fastened with rawhide string. When the string is wet it expands, so wrapping it tightly then allowing it to dry and contract makes for a great fastener, plus the rawhide makes a glue of it’s own when wet, and again saliva is best.
Building a fire If you’re going to survive in the wild you’re going to need fire. It’s not always the easiest thing to get going, but if done properly you can get it going using just what nature provides.
Steve suggests using willow board as the base. A small notch will keep your stick from wandering. Use a small block of wood (notched to hold your stick) to hold the stick from the top while using the larger block at the base. Wrap the string of a bow around the stick and work it back and forth til the friction builds enough heat to ignite your kindling. Cedar bark works great for kindling since it’s hairy texture allows for quick drying. To keep your hand held block from over heating, lube the top of your stick with a little oil from your forehead and around your nose.
If you ever get the chance to see Steve’s presentation, take it. It’s something you won’t soon forget.
Steve serves as Corporal in the Burke County Sharpshooter Re-enacter Group. He also serves as Adjutant of the 2102 Buckhead Fort Lawton Brigade Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp in Millen, Ga. In addition, he has conducted countless hours of research in the Military History of the South and the practice of survival skills of the early Americans. During his “spare time”, he conducts geneology and presents programs to social and civic organizations.
Just one hour with Steve Burke will take you back through centuries of time.
Simply studying the artifacts wasn’t enough. Steve wanted to better understand how they were made, how they were used, and what role they played in the lives of those who depended on them day to day. While it would take a volume of books to hold his knowledge on the subject, we were fortunate enough to experience his popular presentation in which he not only displays and explains the weapons and tools, but gives detailed explanations of methods used by the natives.
scraping it. To keep the fur on the outside remove just inner layer. When planning to keep the fur intact be sure to scrape the inner layer in the tail to head direction or you’ll damage the follicles and lose the fur.
You’ll notice as your hide dries it’s more of a white color than the tan look you’re used to seeing. That’s where smoking it comes in. By smoking the skin with cedar wood, you’ll make it rain proof, insect repellant, and darken the color all at the same time. 
easiest thing to get going, but if done properly you can get it going using just what nature provides.