IMO, the first thing you should do is learn about the woods you are going to use for bow making, learn the characteristics of those woods and deal with them the way that is best suited for the particular wood. The diameter of the log makes a difference. Big diameter, 5" to 6" and up I would split down the middle and get the drying process started, of course sealing the ends. After the splits have acclimatized a few weeks, I'd reduce them again, maybe in half again but wait a while before reducing to stave form. This will allow the wood to slowly acclimatize and stabilize.
For small diameter wood, 4" or less, I saw the "pole" in half considering the physical attributes and flaws in the pole; knots, cleaves, rot, etc.. For these small diameter poles I'll bind the 2 halves back together with spacers between to allow good air circulation. In both cases I let the wood season for a reasonable length of time. For me, that is at least a year before stressing the wood.
If you are going to saw the log I'd consider where to saw to get the most out of the log. Saw it thick(2" at least) and stack the "slabs" with spacers between each slab for good air circulation and give them at least a year to season. After they season you can make staves or laminations, which ever way you plan to go.
Which ever way you go give your bow wood plenty of time to dry and stabilize That will make a big difference is the bow wood you harvest and in the end the bows you build.
