The winds from one of the hurricanes late last summer toppled some trees on one of the farms I hunt. Down in a hollow were some very straight tall sugar maples. I cut staves from a couple of them in February. I reduced this one to rough bow form on the table saw and hung in front of the heat/air vent in the basement. I got it out a few weeks ago and started working it on down.
I stained it with cherry stain, as it was simply too white to shoot when the sun was shining.. I really liked the maple look, but do plan to hunt with it this fall.
I drew a copperhead pattern and used black, brown and silver sharpies to blotch the pattern ( this before I added the cherry stain).
No hand shock, quiet, sweet bow... It did take almost two inches of set, I'm pleased with it regardless..
Any critique or suggestions greatly appreciated. I'm learning and having fun. I plan to be more diligent with sanding and final finishes as my skills and confidence increases. There are certainly tool marks, etc that I could have done a better job on, but was more interested in seeing if it would survive...
