I'm new to bow building and was wondering if shag bark hickory would make a good self bow. Thanks.

Yes!  All hickories, even pecan, will make a good bow.      Pat

I'm pretty sure its even recommended as one of the best.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CUT AND HOW LARGE SHOULD THE TREE/SAPLING BE ?
IS IT BEST TO CUT IN THE SPRING....IN MY EXPERIENCE YOU NEED DYNOMITE TO REMOVE THE BARK .
THANKS
TIM

During the growing season the bark will "slip" and is easily removed. I like to harvest white woods when the leaves have just come out. That way when you remove the bark you have a mature, well developed back ring for your bow's back. If you wait until later in the season, even though the bark still "slips" the new back ring has developed but won't be mature until next year.    Pat

Does pecan tend to have dark grain in it? I bought a board at the lumber yard as "hickory" but have found out since then that some call pecan "hickory" too.

It is beautiful! I wish I had more of it.

>>>---------->     Bona

Bona, Hickory has sapwood and heartwood and the heartwood is considerably darker than the sapwood. The pecan I have seen has a little darker sapwood than regular hickory.     Pat

If you live in an area where it isn't to humid, pignut and shagbark hickories will be really good bow wood.

 Use the outside of the tree as the back and you're in business.

I have a hickioy bow I built 12 years ago.66"64#26"It's still 61#'s I shot for 5 years,shot 9 bucks,shot it at least 100,000 times.An it still only as 2" strind follow top limb 1" bottom limb.And built over 2 dozzen others,It"s right behind O'sage.I still have it hanging in my shop with other I retired.It's my favorert white wood.

 I have at least 10 sets of matched A,1,billits been seasoning for over 10 years.Would trade 2 sets for a yew stave that I could get a bow out of .

Sorry my billits are O;sage.

Sorry my billits are O;sage.