Choosing Rivercane

[DLH]

What are you suppose to look for when choosing river cane to make arrows? I have seen two disticnt "forms" of it I don't know what you would call it really.

Thanks in advance

[Pat B]

You want to choose mature culms(canes) that are about 3/8" at their base. Take an open end 3/8" wrengh with you for a guide. You can tell the mature culms by the lack of or deterioration of the paperlike sheath at the nodes.

[ozarkcherrybow1]

what Pat said.. also...I always try to cut down at least 30. I'll make my best matched dozen for my hunting arrows and make the rest up for trade and show..

[rover brewer]

great idea on useing a 3/8 wrench.

[razorsharptokill]

Funny.. i just got through straightening some.

[DLH]

I have seen some with looks like dead parts around the nodes would this be what I want to avoid? I also noticed some that looked like they were a darker green would those have been mature cane?

[Pat B]

The brighter green colored ones are usually immature. The mature ones are the more olive green ones. The "dead parts" around the nodes are the protective sheath. Once they fall off the cane is ready to harvest.