What is the best way to cut the tree and best way to dry it...Thanks Jamie
Cut it to around 80" if you can. This might save you if it checks on the ends some. This time of year, with a little work you should be able to pop the bark off. If you don't it will likely come loose on it's own as it dries and may check in the sapwood. Seal the sapwood and ends with shellac or something like it. Don't scrimp on the sealing of the back. I had some staves once that the sapwood checked clean to the heartwood and beyond. If you have the time right now it would be good to shave off the bulk of the sapwood. You have to get it eventually and it shaves easier when green.
Store the staves outside if you can this time of year, out of direct sun. Lay a piece of tin or something on top to protect from rain. The warm air will give you a slow dry for now. Later on you can move it inside. I would not put it in the attic or equivalent this time of year. Too hot and it will check. Move it in the attic if you want come Fall.
If you get anxious to make a bow, you can reduce a stave to near bow dimensions, including taking off the sapwood, and seal the back and 6 inches of the limb tips and put it somewhere to slow dry.
Don't worry about "chasing " rings on this wood. The rings are normally very thick anyway. Just scrape off the sapwood down to the first heartwood ring and make a bow.
That should do for now. Tim
BTW that's a m/berry bow in my avater
Jaime, you want to split it out now if you can. Now is the easiest time to do it. You wait and it will be much tougher. If you cannot do it now,go ahead and seal the ends of the log/limb. Just more work later on, that's all.