How far down do I need to go to help with the drying time? I cut this osage in February and have it down to one ring on the back. About 3" wide and limbs are about 1 1/4" thick. How long will it take to dry? Do I need to get closer to finished size? This is my first self bow.

I take mine down to 5/8" thick.  It'll take months to dry that thick of a piece.  Get it down to near bow dimensions but leave it full width.  In other words if your bow is going to be 1-1/2" wide, leave the whole thing that wide.  It'll help with layout later.  I can have a stave dry in a couple months this way.

There's 2 bows in that stave for me.  But don't risk it on your first if you don't feel real confident.

I brought it down to 3/4-7/8 thick in the limbs and 1 3/4" in the handle area. It is sort of thin ringed so it will give me some room if I need to take it down another ring on the back.

Just seal the back and ends,,, leave the belly open to let the moisture escape!

I have the back and ends sealed ,does the end of the handle section need to be sealed too ? The limbs taper up to it pretty steep.

man, thats i nice lookin piece of osage.  at those dimensions i would say 6-8 weeks would be plenty.  however you will be able to tell when you floor tiller, is should feel springy and the shavings should crunch.  i believe I got that from Mr Scifres.