finding arrow stock in florida

[willie]

I will make a trip to central/northern florida soon and want to spend some time harvesting shoots for making arrows

what are my best choices to look for?

[Pat B]

Probably switch cane(Arundaneria tecta) or an Asiatic invasive cane like Japanese arrow bamboo.   I really don't know Florida fauna so that's all I can suggest.

[stickbender]

     Ask Mullet.  I think white springs, off of I-75 has a bunch, I think that is where I went, there is Japanese arrow bamboo all over.  You can fill your truck up with it.  It might be another place.  I can't remember for sure.  Good stuff though!
                                     Wayne

[mullet]

Wayne's right. Go across the Suwanee and then two blocks past the stop sign at 41. or it is in the Stephen Foster State Park.

[PrimitiveTim]

Yup, along highways and country roads keep an eye out for bamboo growing.  I know of two patches within 30 minutes of where I live.  I'm in central Florida and I can PM you coordinates if you like.  It's invasive so for the most part nobody cares if you harvest a few hundred of them.  Most will thank you.

[willie]

Thanks for the replies guys, I have been traveling for a few days and haven't had a chance to log in to see the recent responses.
Any body willin to make a recommendation about how to size the bamboo for 40-50# spines? I do remember someone saying once that they used an end wrench for a sizer when they went picking, but I cannot remember what size wrench or which end of the shoot to gague.
thanks
willie

[jeffp51]

7mm seems to work pretty well for me.--as an average diameter.  that is with garden stake bamboo.

[Pat B]

A 3/8" open end wrench makes a good gauge for hardwood shoots and cane shafts. about 5/16" at the nock.