Lesson 1 Where to start? The search

[Thunder Head]

I'm ready to start my search for a tree to cut down. First, is this the right time of year to cut down a tree?
Second, whats the easiest type of tree to work with, and the size I should cut? And how long of a bow do
I start out with? Is there a beginners guide out there I can start with, I did a search and every where I go,
they want you to buy buy buy. But one can stare at a screen so long.

Billy   

[PrimitiveTim]

First tell us where you're at so we know what trees grow around you.  Also, what kind of bow are you looking to make?  I'd suggest a bend in the handle bow.  Something similar to the bows halfeye makes.  Maybe longer or shorter.  Also, plan on making and breaking several bows before you start to get the hang of it.  Now is a good time to cut.  Are you able to ID all the trees in the area you plan to cut?  hmm, I need to make a video on this...

[burchett.donald]

Thunderhead, One of the best things you could do besides hang out here on PA is to read The Bowyers Bible I and if you don't want to purchase it maybe it's in your local library. It is where I started and made my first primitive bow. I can't say enough about this read...Covers just about everything and more...
                                                                                                                                                  Don

[dragonman]

as above, get the bowyers bible and read a bit about making bows, .....find out what you're doing, and what kind of bow your gonna make.. before you run off and cut trees down

[Marc St Louis]

The type of bow is not really relevant since you can make any style of bow from practically any wood species.  Some wood species are better than others though so knowing what you have around you is important

[Badger]

    Billy, don't let the job intimidate you. If you just start carving on wood and posting pics after 2 or 3 bows you will be well on your way. You may even want to start with board bows so you don't have to wait so long for your wood to dry on your first bow.

[Joec123able]

You can cut wood anytime of year, the easiest type of wood to work is definetly based on opinion, i try to cut the biggest I can but being new to it smaller saplings will work completely fine,

[Eric Krewson]

Pretty simple; Hickory, elm, hop hornbeam, hackberry or locust if you don't have osage in your area, hickory or osage if you do. Cut at least a 6' long portion of the trunk for starters, be very aware of any cat eyes or places where the bark shows he tree has obviously grown over a dead limb. Pick a clean, no limbs or cat eyes, straight tree and you will be patting yours self on the back later when you start laying out your bow and have much more usable area to work from.

 Seal the ends as soon as your trunk hits the ground with shellac, poly, wood glue or even a thick coat of rattle can spray paint. Split your trunk into quarters, pull the bark off if you can on white wood like those in the hickory, elm group mentioned above and seal the backs really well. I like shellac for backs, others use other sealers.

And that's about it, you have to stockpile wood to get started or buy staves from some other source.

I really recommend following Poorboy's board bow instructions(Google it) for the first few bows. A $6 oak board from Lowe's is an inexpensive way to start and will keep you busy while your wood stash is drying.