I can get access to mesquite fairly easily through my father.

Is it worth it trying to make a selfbow from a mesquite tree stave?

If so what kind of things should I keep in mind?

Pat B says it works well:    http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001053  

Posted by Pat B (Member # 477) on 27 March, 2009 11:04 PM:

>If you find a piece of mesquite straight enough
>and long enough it will make a very good self bow.
>If not, cut limb veneers or riser blocks from it.

and here's a book which mentions them:  http://books.google.com/books?id=qSRLW5ziVFAC&pg=PA266&lpg=PA266&dq=mesquite+self+bow&source=bl&ots=Gt8k39PVir&sig=6n0lrZQFX_esex0Pilw5BF7JW4o&hl=en&sa=X&ei=fYVzUp35JPe-sQTchIGIBA&   ved=0CGEQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=mesquite%20self%20bow&f=false

Other comments go back and forth w/ backing often suggested --- one interesting suggestion was, ``consider using catclaw acacia instead''.