If we had any here, I'd cut it about now, or at least before it gets too hot. I don't think it really matters when, maybe some of the cane cuttin pros will show up.

OK found my pics
Here's a batch of wild cane growing

 

There are male and female stalks....some have sheaths and some have leaves..I forget which is which

 

Anyhow you wander around the patch looking for some that might make suitable arrows, cut them and remove the sheaths and leaves

 

They will be all green like above and crooked like below

 

Where do you get yours, Dano? I don't know if it grows here - in this part of NC, yet. Have to ask around. Good pics, Mickey - looks familiar but not sure why or from where.

Take a dozen and bundle them up together. Some guys face 1/2 one way and 1/2 facing the other way, some bundle them against a broom stick. Once bundled hang them in a dry warm place for about 8 weeks. Some guys get them out periodically, unwrap, straighten and then bundle them back up again. When you get them out again they will be a lighter green but hard. Set them in the sun for a coupleof days and they will turn a golden tan color and will be ready to be straightened.

 


Like osage many cut this years now and will get them out to make arrows out of them next spring.

   

The female is the one on the right with the flowers. I've been told the female is the best (imagine that)  :D  I've gotten most of my cane from good friends. Up here we have what's call phragmitis, it does'nt mature like cane or bamboo.

Here's a good example of just how far river cane can be bent without breaking while hot

 

Once it cools it will be hard in this shape

Mickey's a hoot ain't he?  

My wife tells me there is a woman down the way that says she has cane behind her property where a little drain creek runs. Don't know if it is the right kind but have to check it out. Course she also told our neighbor to be careful as ther were lots of Mocasins back there too. Yikes! Little early for them though - and cool.

Very nice again Mickey. Is that an egg in the bowl?

Bending those in that shape,makes me think about an ABO croquet set? Nice primitive wickets!

Great job little buddy.:thumbsup:BTW, sent the book today.

He is that! He needs to be a little careful though - I'm not sure but what it may be agin the law to know so much good stuff!!!  

Yea RB he's a hoot      

Here's some misc pics with cane

Node reduction

 

Nock slot above a node

 

LOL finding all kinds of pics in the stash

Now there's a good reason to cut it soon  :eek:  Course you can use the skins too  

Bern..my wife said it would sure be nice if I actually knew something ..in her words..USEFUL!  LOL

Here's some river cane arras

   

Nice arras. LOL - That's probably just a hold over from before she (Di) also got interested in all this archery stuff though, Mickey.

That looks like phragmites communalis. We have it in spots around here, and I saw a big stand of it in Norfolk or VIRGINIA BEACH, CLINTOPHER. It gets plumes on it in the summertime. I have heard that one should avoid the plumed stalks, and go for the plain ones, as they are stronger. I suppose it depends on the weight of your bow. I also believe that the best time to cut it is late summer, early fall. The plants have achieved their maximum growth, and have not begun decaying and getting battered by winter storms.

Sorry to drag Clint W into this, but he seems to be looking for things to slice and impale himself on, and I am a helpful sort.

Killdeer

Primitive Croquet tunnels or whatever they are called?? that's a lot of bending...Mac~

Timo, my first thought was an egg but I think it's an orange.

Dang Mickey ya made that look so easy..... do ya straighten viburnum the same way??..... Terry

Terry like osage, hickory, river cane and angry wives a little heat and pressure can make a lot of things "malleable" LOL

Hmmmm!