Hiya Nick! I am also from the Houston area, a bit north of ya in between cypress and magnolia. I am also a newbie, more so than you, having built precisely nothing haha! I could probably learn a few things from you in fact. I do have an elderly acquaintance who has been making Native American style bow and arrows of various sorts for several decades, but he lives near Tyler. Plenty of Osage up there, as I can attest from months of working out there a while back. Thinking about taking a weekend, maybe in September to go learn and watch him. If I do, I will let you know. Anyhow, nice to find another person in the area. Do you have any good shops you recommend?