Arrow woods in Wyoming?

[BearBoy31]

i want ta start making my own shafts and would like to know my options out here in Wyoming

[JW_Halverson]

Chokecherry.  Especially look for creekbottoms where beaver have moved in.  They will clearcut a chokecherry patch for the delicious underbark and in the spring it comes up like wheat!  With all those sapplings fighting for their fair share of sunlight they will all tend to be straight and without branches. 

[BearBoy31]

Thanks how good of arrows well chokecherry work

[JW_Halverson]

Good enough that virtually every tribe that had chokecherry in their territory used them!

[kleinpm]

Chokecherry certainly is a good tough arrow material. I have a hard time finding enough that are straight enough, the right size,and knot free enough.

I switched to red osier. Grows like crazy, easy to identify in the winter and seems to make a great arrow.

I cut about 5 dozen red osier the last few months. I peel them the same day as cutting, let them dry  a few days and start straightening them.

Good luck!

Patrick

[BearBoy31]

thank for the help guys