Moisture content

[Shondy55]

Hey guys i recently cut down a large osage branch and am about to get it down to near bow dimensions....what would be a good amount of time to let is season and get the moisture content right?

[adb]

Depends on the environmental conditions in which you live, specifically the RH. If you just cut it, it's green, and will take a while to reach an ideal moisture content of 6-9%. I will often let green staves naturally season for a couple of years before they become bows. Others go faster, but I've had limited luck doing that.

[Hrothgar]

If you are taking it down to bow dimensions now it will dry out much faster, however, be sure the ends and back of the bow remain sealed. After it has air dried several weeks on its own there are several methods you can use to expedite the curing process. Check out this site and look around some on the web. You could probably have a shooting weapon by next fall if you don't rush things.