I have never made a bow before, but I figure the best way to learn is to just do it.  I live in western Montana where the most common woods are Quaking Aspen Tamarack (Western Larch), Black Cottonwood, Chokecherry, Lodgepole, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Western White Pine, and of course Ponderosa.  Do any of these make good self bows? Do you have any suggestions for other woods found around here that may work better? Forgive my ignorance...I am eager to learn though : )

From what I've read and seen posted on this site the juniper and chokecherry would make self bows.  I am certainly not an expert by any stretch of the imagination though.  Hopefully someone with some experience with western woods will chime in.  Good luck.

Choke cherry will make a good selfbow and juniper will make a great sinew backed bow. You might have serviceberry(Saskatoon)and yew in some areas. I have a bow that I made of Montana yew.   Also, the bark of the chokecherry makes a good, strong and attractive bow backing.

Pat named all the wild I am aware of.  Mark Baker may know of one or two others and list them if he sees this thread.  I have made them from yew and juniper with good results. Mark has made them from all four of the woods Pat listed but with mixed results on the serviceberry and chokecherry.  Yew is the only wood I recommend for a first timer.

thank you all!  I haven't seen yew around here yet, but it will be a good excuse to get deep in the woods : )

sounds like ya got more arrow wood than bow wood!    

Jim Remp, in Missoula is building bows from Hawthorn that are pretty cool.   He says it grows everywhere, but I've yet to find any in our "neck" of the woods in South Central MT.....

You should be able to find some vine maple in the wetter areas of Western MT...North and west slope areas and in deep canyons, I'd think.  I've had some great results with it.  I've seen some great serviceberry bows.   The chokecherry ones I built ended up breaking due to dry conditions, I think.  I still think it can make a good bow but would recommend backing it.  Should be able to get some Yew.....

Good luck, and let us know your progress and results in finding any!