New to arrowmaking, question?

[crumrw]

Hey guys,

Never made arrows before but I think  I'm gonna give it a try.  I'm down in Austin, TX and there is a lot of golden rod bamboo around here.  If I find some dead stalks that already are dried can I use them or do I need to cut fresh stalks and let them dry in a bundle?  Also, for fletching, how can you tell left wing from right wing feathers and which do you use?  I'm sure these questions have been ansered before, but I've read a lot of threads on here and still am a little confused.

Thanks,
Rick

[Pat B]

You want to cut whatever arrow stock you use fresh, whether it be cane or hardwood shoots. If it is dead, fungi has already invaded it and is eating as we speak.
   It doesn't matter whether you use right or left wing feathers as long as you use the same side on each arrow. If you mix right and left on the same arrow it will not fly correctly. If you fletch 2 arrows, one with right and the other left, everything else being equal, both arrows should fly similarly. One will rotate one direction and the other the opposite though.

[whitewoodshunter]

Cut fresh ( live ) shafts and let them season awhile, remove the bark and let season awhile longer, straiten, finish and fletch.

[huntertrapper]

like said dont use dead ones. though if its dry down there i guessa ya never know till ya try it. but id cut the fresh ones and season em.

[crumrw]

ok thanks guys.  My questions have been answered but don't be surprised when I come back for more!! hehe

[JackCrafty]

In my experience, the best arrow material that grows in the Austin area is Roosevelt weed.  It grows all over the place and is MUCH stronger than goldenrod.  It dries quick too, without checking.


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[crumrw]

Jack

I don't specifically recall seeing any of that stuff before.  Do you know a place I can start my search?

Thanks,
Rick

[El Destructo]

                       Looks like Salt Cedar almost.....hey and they work for arrows too...so I have been told anyways........

[JackCrafty]

Crumrw, that weed grows along fencelines and in empty lots with poor soil.  It grows all up and down Rt 360 on the sides of the road....especially where there are road cuts through the limestone.  Look for it in ditches as well.  It also grows all around the Dell campus in Round Rock.  Tell me where you are (north, south, east, or west Austin) and I'll try to direct you to a patch close to you.

[crumrw]

I'm two blocks west of the UT campus.  Thanks for the guidance.

[xin]

doesn't a good amount of yaupon grow around there of is it arther east of Austin.

[JackCrafty]

There's a little yaupon and maybe some roughleaf dogwood growing on the edges of private lots around campus....as well as Roosevelt weed.  The Roosevelt weed is probably going to be small because it's cut quickly to prevent spreading.  Check behind bldgs in the alleys...I bet there are patches of it all around you.  The older apartment complexes around campus are also good spots.....when I was on campus, very few were well maintained and had weeds growing all over the place.  You can also try looking in Zilker or Pease District Park.

[crumrw]

Ok I'll give it a shot

[crumrw]

Also, I didn't realize that yaupon was a good arrow wood.  Doesn't seem like you would find it long or straight enough to make arrows out of. hmmm...

[Pat B]

Yaupon(Ilex vomitoria) growing in landscapes probable wouldn't have many shoots for shafting but in nature, in a shady area, you should be able to find decent shoots. Other hollies like inkberry(Ilex glabra)will work also.