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Hardwood shoot collecting time

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Pat B:
I took my dogs for a walk on this nice, cool autumn morning. I noticed an appropriate sourwood shoot, about the right size for an arrow so I cut it. As I walked home I used the back of my pruners blade(I carry them any time I walk in the woods) to scrape off the bark. Sourwood is the only hardwood shoot I remove the bark from when green because they have never checked on me. Most other hardwood shoots I've cut over the years do check if I remove the bark too soon. Results may vary with other's experiences.
 Anyway, now, through the winter is a great time to harvest hardwood shoots for arrows. Here are my tools for the job. I found a cheap 3/8" open end wrench I added a handle to(easier to find in my arrow tool box) that I use to gauge the diameter of the butt of the shoot and my Felco #2 pruning clippers I've had for years of landscape work. Shoots you collect now will be ready to make arrows with in a few months. I bundle the shoots using rubber bands to hold them together. The rubber bands allow the shoots to shrink as they dry, holding them straight until I get around to straightening them.

Allyn T:
The wrench is a hot tip, thanks for that Pat

Pat B:
You can find a 3/8" open end wrench for next to nothing at thrift shops, etc.  Making a lanyard to wear around your neck puts it right there when you need it.
 Once all the leaves are down sighting shoots is easier then when the leaves are out plus the moisture content of the shoots is lower making drying time less. If you have red osier or other bush type dogwoods, viburnum or other shoot bushes it's easier to see the appropriate size and shape shoots to collect. Try to find the straighter shoots for ease of straightening but even snaky shoots can be straightened with a little heat and elbow grease.

Allyn T:
Just yesterday I collected another 4 and two of those were so straight they looked like arrows already. It made me wonder whether it was worth it to cut crooked ones or if I should just get the rail straight ones. I've gathered prolly 30-40 shoots in the last couple weeks

Pat B:
The straighter the better. Save the crooked ones for when you run out.  :OK

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