Oh yeah, by all means work them! You might even throw in a cotton wood tree, and then after they finally get it split into staves, say, " what the heck? That isn't Osage, that's cotton wood, oh, never mind, toss it in the burn pit. But definitely make them work, but I would feed them lunch, and water, then back to the chopping and splitting. Those that don't leave after the first day or two, would get an offer to learn to make a good bow. And a little knowledge of their ancestors, and how they lived with what nature offered them, and the hard life they led. All things happen for a reason. Sit down with all of them first, and explain the reason you are so upset, and the irreplaceable value of the older aged pieces, and the rarity of finding good primo osage. Explain the hard work ahead of them, and what it takes to get those staves. Maybe it will set a sense of the waste they caused even when your daughter told them not to. Then put their butts to work! After they have replaced all the staves, I would have a cook out, but no Osage fuel! That way at least, they get the sense of what they, did, the sense of having replaced the wood, and the sense that you aren't just an old @#!$%$#@! But I would make the offer to teach them the skills to make a good bow and arrow set. But I would keep your daughter out of the shop while you are teaching. No distractions, no accidents, or missing fingers.
Just a man cave gathering.
Oh yeah, while you are talking to them, have the song "Wolverton Mountain" playing........ Then casually mention, that your are also mighty good with a gun and a knife....
Wayne
