Shoot Shafts

[perry f.]

Looking for info on shoot shafts. I'm in southern Indiana, I'm thinking dogwood, cherry, multi flora rose, etc. My question is what size do you cut? I cut some multi flora rose once around 3/8" but after dry it looks to be under 1/4". I don't have a spine tester but I'm not sure they would spine very much. Any info on shoot shafts is appreciated... I plan to cut some in the near future.

[Buck67]

Take a 3/8" open end wrench with you next time.  If the shoot shaft is too small for the wrench then it's probably not worth messing with.  You want shoots that are 3/8" or slightly larger.  You can always take more wood off the shoot but you can't add any.  Avoid ones with abrupt kinks, no way you will get that shoot to straighten.  Make sure that you take something to measure length with.  You want a shoot that is 3/8" at the front and big enough to put a decent nock in at the back.  Take zip strips with you.  Bundle the shoots in bunches with the zip strips, that will make them easier to carry and will help them to dry straight. 

[Aaron H]

^^^ Good advice.  I also like to bring something along to carry them in, one of those carry bags for a camping chair are about the perfect size.

[perry f.]

Thanks for the info, that's exactly what I did when cutting the multi flora rose shafts. I took a 3/8" wrench and all but now they seem way to small after the drying process. I guess I need to make a spine tester and see what they spine

[Knoll]

^^^^^ camping chair bag is good idea too!

[Pat B]

I usually cut hardwood shoots and cane at about 3/8" or slightly over that. It works well for arrows from about 453 to 653.
 Be sure you cut only second year growth or older. If it has small branches on the shoot(or rose cane) it is at least 2 year old growth.
 Both dogwood(shrub type, red osier, etc.) and wild rose make good arrows. Cherry, for me, was hard to keep straight.

[perry f.]

Pat do I need 3/8" mid shaft or at point end? Also, why should I only cut 2nd year growth?

[lebhuntfish]

Just book marking this. I want to keep up with this post.
Patrick

[riverrat]

about 3/8 or a tad under that. you should have honey suckle, bladder nut , and indigo also if you have any water ways near ya. Tony

[George Tsoukalas]

I like them 3/8" at the nock end which is the upper end for me. Jawge
http://traditionalarchery101.com/shoots.html

[jeffp51]

I usually cut hardwood shoots and cane at about 3/8" or slightly over that. It works well for arrows from about 453 to 653.
 Be sure you cut only second year growth or older. If it has small branches on the shoot(or rose cane) it is at least 2 year old growth.
 Both dogwood(shrub type, red osier, etc.) and wild rose make good arrows. Cherry, for me, was hard to keep straight.

Pat, do you have any pictures of second year dogwood that is ready to cut?  I have a hard time picturing what you mean by small branches--at some point don't they become too big and create knots and kinks in the shaft?  Or do you end up using the parts below the branches?

[perry f.]

George, if yours are 3/8" at nock end, what do they typically measure at the point end

[Pat B]

Jeff, the first year a shoot usually grows to its ultimate height and puts out leaves. The second year small branches come from buds near last's leaf scars. After that growing season is when you harvest the shoot for arrows.  I don't have red osier growing around here and don't have pics. Do a search here on PA or Google.

[George Tsoukalas]

Perry, not sure.
I just plane down the point end  to get it to 11/32.
I just use the shafts that are too narrow for my daughter.
Jawge