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How to prepare bamboo/cane shafts???

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THoward:
Hello,
A few weeks ago I cut several shoots of bamboo or cane out of a firends backyard in Seattle.  He wants me to cut it all.  I have no idea what species it is.  None the less I am forging on.  I want to make arrow shaft and need a little help.  How do I dry the shafts?  Should I heat treat or not?  Any other tips as I build the arrows is also appreciated and will benefit anyone else finding uses from someone else's weeds.
Thanks,
Todd

Pat B:
Todd, when I cut cane I take the culms(canes) and bundle them in groups of 15 to 20 of about the same size and place them in my utility room for a month or more. You will have to use heat to straighten the shafts and I like to temper them afterward. To do this I start at one end and hold over the open flame of our gas kitchen stove. I rotate the shaft and slowly move down to the other end. Watch out for steam coming from the ends. It WILL burn you!  ::) You want some color change but very light and even as you can.
  Can you show pics of the canes you have and also the plants in the ground?

mullet:
 When you cut bamboo, cut them about 4' long. This will give you room to adjust for spline, real crooked sections, or node placement. I always start by cutting the top at the smallest section I think will make a self nock. If I can do this behind a node, the better. Then I cut it about 4' towards the ground, give or take, depending on the diameter.

aero86:
if you have a car sitting around, or if you know someone that has a car, put it in there.  dry it out real quick.  course, i live in texas, so i couldve left it outside and it would dry quickly.

sailordad:
well the first thing that i think you should d
is send me about 3 doz in the 45-55 lbs range  ;)
im out of shaft material  >:( :-[ :'(

i know nothing of cane cutting/curing.
here in minnesota the only cane we have old people are walking around with  ;D

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