I was talking with a man that is from the Coquille Indian tribe the other day. He said that Indians in the coastal areas of Oregon would use a plant called ocean spray for arrow shafts. I did a search for it online and it looks fairly straight and the right diameter. He said you just strip the outer membrane off and let it dry. Some would even heat treat it to harden it. I have an obsidian head that someone on here generously gave me. Thought it would be cool to make an arrow out of ocean spray, turkey feathers, and ocean spray. I'll be on the look out for it while Roosevelt elk scouting!
Ocean spray make a good heavy arrow. I have made a few with good success. After you straighten it heat treating helps to keep it straight. Pat
What Pat siad! Good stuff. Might want to cut some in different diamiters intill you get the right size (spine) figured out. Although it seams to me that I had to leave the outer skin on while they dryed. I may
Oops,
I may be wrong though, it has been a long time since I've build any.
I was given 3 shoots to try out a couple years back. They made good, heavy, tough shafts, and stayed straight for me. I tipped them with stone points and arrowed my first doe with stone with one of them. I've tried dogwood too, and would have to say I much prefer the oceanspray.
I should add, I'd love to get my hands on some more!
This is encouraging. Thanks for the input guys. My main concern was that they would be too light in weight. Great to hear that they have some weight. I'll be out looking for it now for sure.