I used to live in Fairbanks, AK a few years ago, and shot hickory bows with no problems at all at subzero temps. Hickory is one of the few woods that actually do better at extremely low moisture levels though. I would agree, after killing 4 DVD players due to static electrical discharge while living there, that lack of moisture is more of an issue than moisture freezing in the wood. I made a few attempts at bows with the local birch, and found it extremely weak in compression. They all chrysaled badly as soon as I hit 24" on the tree, with a 6" brace. That may explain the under stressed Athabaskan designs.