An explorer will go to the transition zone/ecotone to find his bow.

This shows no forethought or thought which is worst possible place for bow material. It shows no consideration or future thought. Causing flaw.

An indigenous will go to the devastation zone to find his bow.

Knowing an area of transition is a sensitive area. The devastation is competing where only 10% is left to strangle itself out. A struggling sapling makes a finer bow because it has tighter packed rings. Like society.