I harvested some vine maple for stave material while i was elk hunting on the oregon coast last month. I'm going to try my luck onmy firstself bow after Christmas this winter.....That should be an adventure....I've had real good luck on the glass bows i've built so far. I've got one long bow, & a take down recurve under my belt now. both of themcame out pretty goodshooters....The self bow is going to require adifferent approach in many ways.....This bowyer trade is very intense craftsmanship....Kirk