Weird feature on Yew sapwood?

[Del the cat]

I'm working on a character Yew ELB (40-45# @ 28"). As the bark is popping off and being cleaned up I've come across two of these features. They don't go right through the sapwood and I'm reluctant to chisel 'em out and lay in a couple of inches of clean wood as it's nice character and it's part of the challenge to have the bow clean and as untouched as possible!
But of course, a nasty cut across the back is just what you don't want!
Anyone seen this sort of thing?
Looks a bit like someone's stuck a chisel in there and it's healed around it.
Del

[BowEd]

Yes it's not the nicest surprise to see after bark removal.It makes me to remove the bark when the stave is wider to reveal these things and make plans to get around it.

[Del the cat]

Yes it's not the nicest surprise to see after bark removal.It makes me to remove the bark when the stave is wider to reveal these things and make plans to get around it.

The stave was barely wide enough to start with!
Arrrghhh... more "features" !
The sapwood is a bit thicker where the weird feature it... the knot holes aren't too bad. But All 3 features close together ... hmm.
Maybe 40# rather than 45# 
Del

[Hamish]

Bark occlusion. Normally I'd suggest shaving the sapwood down, but it looks like an already thin layer. Beautiful stave otherwise.

Rawhide backing for safety?

[Hamish]

Heartwood only bow?

[simk]

It does not look natural to me, more like some kind of old injury.
I wouldn't know how to fix something like that without using sinew. Curious how you will handle the problem

[Del the cat]

It does not look natural to me, more like some kind of old injury.
I wouldn't know how to fix something like that without using sinew. Curious how you will handle the problem

I think I'll just cross my fingers and hope the wood sprites are in a good mood  
Del

[Pat B]

Looking forward to seeing what you can make of this incredible yew stave, Del. 

[JW_Halverson]

Let me echo Pat's sentiments.

Leave some oats and a small cup of beer on the bench next to the stave overnight to appease the sprites tonite!

[Yooper Bowyer]

I'd almost be more concerned about rot inside the wound than the wacky grain, but that's just my 2 cents.  Maybe just leave that part stiffer?

[Hamish]

JW I swear the sprites do exist, not just in bows but also other areas of woodwork, like hand cut joinery. Sometimes I comeback from a problem area, a little later, and the issue has disappeared. Must be them sprites.

[bownarra]

I don't like the look of them.
If it were mine and I had to make a bow from it. I'd remove the sapwood and back it with sinew. Sinewed yew is amzing Zero chance of it breaking then.

[Hawkdancer]

Yup! the sidhe, the sprites, and the leprechauns are all around us, and they appreciate any little gesture of kindness!  Usually!  They appreciate craftsmanship too!
JW, Good to hear you are pretty much OK!
Hawkdancer

[Pat B]

Jerry, are you fey? You seem to know about the little people.