I have been at this for about 2 years now. The bug really started last spring when my son asked me to get/make him a bow. The thought really started about 6 years ago when I cut a bunch of hedge at my brother's house. It was something I had heard about and always wanted to try so I saved the wood. That wood sat until last year and I made a few successful bows with it and learned a lot. Most of the wood ended up too twisted and knotted for my, then, skill set to make anything out of it. I am glad to have joined the forum..
I have visited the site for a while trying to learn and figured I would finally jump in. Now, I definitely have the bug and fortunately in MO I have plenty of hardwoods all around me to experiment with. My son just finished his bow too ( I may have helped some lol).