The Native American Indians were so skilled with the bow and arrow that any enhancement to the basics was normally unnecessary but a poisoned arrow would have been seen a strong 'medicine'. The Cherokee and a few other tribes of Native Americans used Blowguns with poisoned darts.

Making a Poisoned Arrow - Types of Poison from Reptiles
The poison used by Native Americans for the poisoned arrow or dart was obtained from either reptiles or from extracts from various plants. The reptiles that contained poisons were different types of poisonous snakes and even Gila Monsters. To obtain venom from a rattlesnake the reptile was irritated until it repeatedly struck into the spoiled meat or liver of an animal, impregnating it with its toxin. Poisonous snakes were also induced to bite into the meat or liver. The tips of arrows or the blowgun darts were then dipped into the poisoned meat. The Gila Monster is fairly common in the southwest USA. Gila Monsters and the Mexican beaded lizard are the world's only known venomous lizards. The Gila Monster has poison glands in the lower jaw, and it does not inject its venom as a snake does. The Gila Monster needs to bite and chew to break the skin so venom is absorbed. Once again the Native Indians would induce the lizard to to bite into spoiled meat or liver.

Making a Poisoned Arrow - Poison from Plants
Extracts from plants were also used to obtain poison for arrows. Many tribes used used extracts of yew from bark and needles as Arrow and Spear poisons. The Apache dipped their arrows into the sap of the Yucca to make a poisoned arrow. Other tribes used used extracts of yew from bark and needles as arrow poisons other used the American Golden Poppy, Bloodroot and Datura. To make a poisoned arrow from a plant extract the sharp edges of the poisoned arrow were either dipped in the sap of the plant or boiled in water to obtain a poisonous liquid. Native Americans also used Veratrum (commonly known as false hellebore and corn lily. The juice of this plant pressed from the roots to poison arrows before combat.

The Poisoned Arrow - Storing the Poison
The deadly poison used for the Poisoned Arrow was stored in special cone-shaped clay containers that were stored in the bottom of quivers. The poisoned arrow would only have the poison added at the time the arrow would be used. Native Americans were able to make one shot with a poisoned arrow every 3-4 seconds at a range of about 200 yards.