As others have said save the small stuff too if you dont end up wanting it ill drive to your place and trade you seasoned staves for them 
Also I use latex paint to seal some of my wood too it works just fine too and if its laying around why not? You may need to do a couple or 3 coats
I'll save you some of the short and/or long stuff.

I don't have to make mulitple coats of paint because I just dipped the ends in the can.

I figured that'd definately seal it. hahahaha
I stared messing with a small sliver tonight just to get the "feel" of the yew. In truth, it may, very well make a bow for my daughter or wife to shoot. I HAVE to get a draw knife soon though. My little cheese grater plane thing makes it a LOT of work to think the stave down. lol