Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...

[Jakesnyder]

Sugar maple or silver maple? I'm about 70% sure its sugar maple. Let me know what you think it is..

[dylanholderman]

looks like its from a young tree so it can be very difficult to tell, how heavy is it? sugar maple is noticeably heavier than silver.
my first couple of bows were from sugar maple, about that size.
optimistic guess, sugar maple.

[PatM]

Looks more like Sugar.  It almost always is rather covered with bumps from grown over knots etc. when young.

Soft Maples tend to be very smooth.

[Jakesnyder]

Well I did the fingernail test and it just barely indents. Does soft maples indent easily when you run your fingernail across it?

[Weylin]

Give it the lick test. if it's sweet then it's sugar maple

[dylanholderman]

Give it the lick test. if it's sweet then it's sugar maple

^^^sounds crazy but he's right.

EDIT: at least with the green wood, i've not tried it with a seasoned stave.

[Deerhunter21]

Give it the lick test. if it's sweet then it's sugar maple

^^^sounds crazy but he's right.

EDIT: at least with the green wood, i've not tried it with a seasoned stave.

Youll be gettin the dust in your mouth anyway 

[Jakesnyder]

Ok I did the lick test(my wife now thinks I officially lost it!) Maybe partly true .  It didnt help me any. I cut down a sapling that I know is a sugar maple to compare licks. Neither of them were sweet. I tried the wood and cambium layer. Its winter here and the sap is all out of the tree. It is about the same denseness. Anyone else have any advise?

[Hawkdancer]

Try the local forester, or the extension service office! 
Hawkdancer

[Jakesnyder]

I'm not sure what those are?

[DC]

I don't know the eastern maples but if they are like ours I don't think you'll ever know for sure. Make a bow, if it survives you're either lucky or it's Sugar Maple but you still won't know for sure.

[Bryce]

Just sweet talk her. Bam sugar maple

[paulc]

Look up your cooperative extension office-part of your land grant university.  They are there to help the citizens of the state with pretty much whatever question you have. 

Paul

[SLIMBOB]

Yep. Just make bow. Stay wide and watch your set as you tiller. Narrow from say 2 inches just a bit if no set happens. If it does, leave it wide and keep it light weight.

[Hawkdancer]

Got to agree with Slim!  Keep it wide and thin to desired weight, narrow as necessary, but leave enough width to keep tips strong enough for the weight!  I think I said that right!  Good luck!  Mazel tov!
Hawkdancer