If you are wanting to try hickory as bow wood, now is the time to cut it in the South. The bark can be popped off in sheaths, leaving a pristine back with very little effort. It just don't get any easier.
On a log job this morning, where I was converting white oak tops to firewood, I noticed all the large hickory logs on the deck were completely peeled, the bark had come off in handling. The other hardwood on the deck had there bark intact.
This is prime time for hickory cutting.
Thanks for lettng us know!
I prefer to wait until the leaves are out, or almost out, before cutting hickory(and other whitewoods) but your method works well for many folks. At any time during the growing season the bark will slip but I believe the early season is best as the layer under the bark was last years growth ring and it had had all winter to mature, making it a better, stronger back for a bow. If you wait until later in the growing season this years ring is being developed and is immature and not as appropriate for a bow's back, IMO.
;-) I just got back from South Lousiana and the leaves are full out. I expect he's a couple weeks ahead of you Pat, and for sure a week ahead of us here in Memphis. We remarked about the difference in the trees as we made our way back on Sunday.
There's one tree with big red, droopy blooms, big trees, that were scattered along our route. I gotta figure out what it is. Kinda hopin' I'll see one around here I can stop and inspect. Not maple, mine in the yard is long since done and they aren't droopy, kinda like a hop hornbeam, but similar color.