How to prepare bamboo/cane shafts???

[THoward]

Hello,
A few weeks ago I cut several shoots of bamboo or cane out of a firends backyard in Seattle.  He wants me to cut it all.  I have no idea what species it is.  None the less I am forging on.  I want to make arrow shaft and need a little help.  How do I dry the shafts?  Should I heat treat or not?  Any other tips as I build the arrows is also appreciated and will benefit anyone else finding uses from someone else's weeds.
Thanks,
Todd

[Pat B]

Todd, when I cut cane I take the culms(canes) and bundle them in groups of 15 to 20 of about the same size and place them in my utility room for a month or more. You will have to use heat to straighten the shafts and I like to temper them afterward. To do this I start at one end and hold over the open flame of our gas kitchen stove. I rotate the shaft and slowly move down to the other end. Watch out for steam coming from the ends. It WILL burn you!  You want some color change but very light and even as you can.
  Can you show pics of the canes you have and also the plants in the ground?

[mullet]

 When you cut bamboo, cut them about 4' long. This will give you room to adjust for spline, real crooked sections, or node placement. I always start by cutting the top at the smallest section I think will make a self nock. If I can do this behind a node, the better. Then I cut it about 4' towards the ground, give or take, depending on the diameter.

[aero86]

if you have a car sitting around, or if you know someone that has a car, put it in there.  dry it out real quick.  course, i live in texas, so i couldve left it outside and it would dry quickly.

[sailordad]

well the first thing that i think you should d
is send me about 3 doz in the 45-55 lbs range 
im out of shaft material 

i know nothing of cane cutting/curing.
here in minnesota the only cane we have old people are walking around with 

[hillbilly61]

I'm liking this cane shaft making. Have 2 dozen straighted and a few more drying. (River Cane) We have it all over here. I use a little camp stove like a Coleman. I rub some plumbers heat proof grease and heat that area till it has little bubbles. Then bend and straighten that spot. I lay that one down and do the next, till I get through the ones I'm working then start back through all over again. have put some knapped points I made on a few and shot them. They fly real good. Can't wait till deer season and take my first deer with one. Good luck. I think they are as addictive as the bow building