PatB I noticed that it was taking more set than it probably should have, about 2 1/2". the bend looked really good! also I was shooting when one of the limbs hit something plastic when it was shoot. didnt look bad so i didnt worry. dont think thats it though.
kbear the wood is Hophorn Beam, as i said, it took alot of set and i dont know if set changes the tiller but it still looked good. brace height lowered a little. ill try to get pics.
Woodly I hope not! The stave was seasoned but then Nebraska is very very humid like florida. It seems to be around 70% but then it rains and dropps to 50% after. should have put tru-oil on it instead of Watco.