I was wondering putting a slight recurve on a board bow. I know you can bend a self bow, also what wood will work the best for either heat or steam bending?

Sure ya can.  Take pics and post them.  It's all about design.  Recurves work best with wood than can take a shorter design.  Having recurves add mass at the ends.  Mass slows bows.  Mass at the end of long limbs slows them more.  Of the common boards available, hickory would be my first choice.

got a couple of bows finishing up. I'll get going soon,thanks for the response