I think one's preferred wood depends on their goals. If my goal is always to make the perfect bow that will last a very long time and stave availability and cost is never an issue, then sure, ultra-dense, thin-ringed osage orange would be my preference.
This isn't the case though, at least not for me. Straight, clean staves that meet the above description are few and far between, and when they are available they cost a lot. I can't afford to invest $200+ in a single stave, at least not frequently, so I've learned to use woods that are available to cut locally, or that I can buy for a more reasonable price. For me, living in northern Vermont, that means eastern hophornbeam, hickory, and black locust. I'll even use white ash sometimes. If used correctly and properly seasoned, all of these woods make excellent bows.
