if you want that thing to dry faster, reduce it in thickness- working the belly only until the tips are one inch thick and the handle is one and a half inches. seeing as you have only 62 inches length, you should probably go for a bendy handle bow. VM likes to warp as it dries- don't forget to lash that sucker down. If you debark and reduce it, you'll want to store it in a cool place for the first week or two so it doesn't dry TOO fast, then move it to a warm place to speed the final stages of drying. Done this way, it should be ready in about 6 weeks.
one thing elktracker and i do differently is the whole business with the tension side vs the compression side. I do think his theorey is sound (that is, make the back from tension wood, the part facing up). however i choose what will be the back of the bow based on knots and branches. find the most knot free side of the stave, then eyeball the length of the stave to check string alignment and reflex/deflex. I look for trees that have one side with no branches and only a few knots, also making sure that the string will line up and there isn't too much reflex or deflex. when i find the 1 in 100 tree that meets these criteria, i cut it down.
if you debark it- avoid metal tools- they can gouge the back. you want a perfectly undamaged back. i use a bone knife or piece of hard wood. at this time of year the bark comes off like a dream!
