Need advice on Hickory

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

Currently there is some selective cutting going on where I hunt. I have access to about 1000 achers of private land an estate is thinning and I spoke with the forester the other day. I asked him if there was any hickory trees on the property and he stated that there was. I think that he stated they were shag hickory trees. Is this a good hickory tree to make a self bow out of?? If so what do I look for when harvesting one of these trees... This would be the first time I harvested any wood for bowmaking... thanks PA

Justin... New Hampshire

[DarkSoul]

Any hickory is good stuff.

Look for basic stuff in wood selection: straight, no knots, no scars on the bark, enough length, no spiral bark, no leaning, diameter between 4" and 14"...Read the first chapter of the Bowyers Bible vol. 1, if you can.

[Hrothgar]

Shagbark hickory is excellent wood.
Criteria:  like Darksoul said.

[blackhawk]

Shagbark works great     

 

[smoke]

Just finishing up a shagbark hickory selfbow.  so far, it seems like pretty good stuff.

[Buckeye Guy]

Get all of it you can as fast as you can !
If they are cutting hickory the borers have already been put on alert and are headed there for a feast !
Get it out of there and stripped as fast as possible!!!
It straightens up easily so don't worry about twist and such avoid big knots and check for ants before you haul it home!
Wish I had your problem I can't get enough !
Guy