I've never tried to make a bow from chinquapin, but I love to eat 'em. Don't see nearly as many around here as there used to be, the chestnut blight works on them, too. I've worked a good bit of American chestnut wood over the years (not for bows, just general woodworking,) and it seems to be fairly soft and light. It's similar to red oak but not quite as hard. It'll last forever without rotting, though. I'd try it and see how it works, if you can find a decent piece. Most of the chinquapin around here is short and gnarly.
