I got into making self bows about 2 years ago now and i took my first deer with one this hunting season! Ive never heard this perspective on when to cut staves but you got me thinking i should go cut down another hickory for the stave pile. Excited to see some build alongs in the future. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, got up an went on what I call a walkabout on this first day of 2025 done some shooting with the old longbow an just thanking God for all the blessings he provides, love being in the woods this time of year,keep on keeping on , thanks for sharing
@@aaronhollenbeck2880 I leave bark on for the drying process. You have to carefully remove bark and cambium all the way to the first ring with winter harvest. It doesn’t peel like in the summer.
@EthanPageHunter Just curious. I harvest all mine in the late winter early spring. It slides right off then as I'm sure you know. I don't have a problem chasing a ring but it's a lot more work.
Should I look for the same qualities in a Hickory? We have a few in the yard, but I think some are older. I am pretty sure we have Hackberry. That odd-looking bark looks familiar.
I have some trees in the lower part of the land that my son's horse decided to debark. They have since died. They have been that way for over a year. Would those be ok to use if they were straight? They are probably hickory, but some are larger than 8 inches in diameter.
Take a good look at the bark cause they are probably oak trees. Horses like to eat the bark off of white oaks for some reason or another. As to them being any good for a bow, hard to say. If the horses have bit into the growth rings then it will be no good.
@EthanPageHunter Oh I gotcha yea I'm in Ohio so that pry wouldn't work What species would u recommend that would be in our area in central Ohio I'm just getting started in this
The only advantage that warm months and high sap flow have, is that you can easily strip the bark and establish the back of your bow on white woods. However, it takes months or years to dry.
I got into making self bows about 2 years ago now and i took my first deer with one this hunting season! Ive never heard this perspective on when to cut staves but you got me thinking i should go cut down another hickory for the stave pile. Excited to see some build alongs in the future. Happy New Year!
@@stevenkeil7869 can’t hurt. Good luck!
Great information just keep it simple, December January, easy to remember vs all that stuf 😊
Happy New Year, got up an went on what I call a walkabout on this first day of 2025 done some shooting with the old longbow an just thanking God for all the blessings he provides, love being in the woods this time of year,keep on keeping on , thanks for sharing
@@KevinRedford-g8r sounds like a great way to spend the morning!
Happy New Years!
Happy New Years 🤙🏼
@@EthanPageHunter Thank you! 👍
How does the bark come off of that hackberry when you decide to make a bow? Do you take the bark off right away?
@@aaronhollenbeck2880 I leave bark on for the drying process. You have to carefully remove bark and cambium all the way to the first ring with winter harvest. It doesn’t peel like in the summer.
@EthanPageHunter Just curious. I harvest all mine in the late winter early spring. It slides right off then as I'm sure you know. I don't have a problem chasing a ring but it's a lot more work.
@ oh I much more enjoy peeling bark hahaha
I've been looking at a persimmon tree that's straight to make my first primitive bow. Thanks,
Any additional advice would be welcomed
@@perfectweather I’ve heard persimmon can make a real pretty bow!
I cut enough to make two bows. I’m excited to work with them in the spring. I’m looking forward to more of your videos. Thanks again
@@perfectweather Fantastic!
Should I look for the same qualities in a Hickory? We have a few in the yard, but I think some are older. I am pretty sure we have Hackberry. That odd-looking bark looks familiar.
Yes, you will see odd grain showing through bark but on white woods it’s not as critical. You just don’t want anything with a real aggressive twist.
I have some trees in the lower part of the land that my son's horse decided to debark. They have since died. They have been that way for over a year. Would those be ok to use if they were straight? They are probably hickory, but some are larger than 8 inches in diameter.
Take a good look at the bark cause they are probably oak trees. Horses like to eat the bark off of white oaks for some reason or another. As to them being any good for a bow, hard to say. If the horses have bit into the growth rings then it will be no good.
@@EthanPageHunter I'll take a look and maybe some pictures. Thanks for the instruction.
Do u sell those staves if so I would be very interested in buying one
I’m not in a position to ship anything like that at the moment. But if you aren’t far from north Missouri I could sell one.
@EthanPageHunter Oh I gotcha yea I'm in Ohio so that pry wouldn't work
What species would u recommend that would be in our area in central Ohio I'm just getting started in this
@ hickory is a very high end bow wood and great for beginners. I’m sure you will also have Hackberry.
@EthanPageHunter ok hey thanks a lot 👍👍
@ no problem! Be sure to go check out my video from last spring about self bow design. Some helpful info in there also.
Why have i read do it in warm weather?
The only advantage that warm months and high sap flow have, is that you can easily strip the bark and establish the back of your bow on white woods. However, it takes months or years to dry.