Hey gang, I'm looking for some primitive shaft material native to east tx. The cane I've cut and tried as well as the crepe myrtle is way to weak and under spined. I also tried another plant ( not sure what it was) with straight shoots that was better but still a little to weak. Any suggestions?

Randy, you tried rivercane in your area?

I have some from Oklahoma, that works great!

Just picked up some bamboo at Tractor supply on a mark down. Wish it grew here in my part of Indiana!

Might ask over in the bowyer section, too.

I'm not sure of the species of the cane that I tried. It was fairly good and straight, and pretty consistent on diameter. About 3/8". I cut it, bundeled it, and let it set for about 3-4 months. But was really weak and brittle after it was cured.

You probably had Phragmites and/or Giant Reedgrass. Both have been used for arrows but are pretty light. There should be switch cane or river cane in northeastern Texas. You might also have silky dogwood, a shrub type also with red stems like Red osier. You may have red osier also but most of that would in the NE section of Texas.
You might also check to see what the local Native Americans used.

Good point Pat, I was hoping you would chime in. I'll do some research on the native tribes in this area.

Does sourwood grow in your area? Sourwood shoots can be good.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/206/Lists/Fourth%20Edition/Oxydendrumarboreum.pdf

Does anyone know what plant this is? I stumbled onto it last fall at one of my leases and took a pick because it was pretty. It resembles sourwood but I'm really not sure. I've seen a few here and there but not very many. Good straight shoot!

That looks like sumac. It might work but it might be physically light and in spine. Give it a try.
Sourwood is my favorite shafting. I cut 2 shoots today on a walk in our woods.

Super fortunate here in the lowcountry of SC. Plenty of river cane around the marshes here. It is by far my favorite shaft material and as tough as any carbon shaft. All of the shafts in the  second picture are between 48# and 58#. Weights vary, but I can handle that.

[/url] [/IMG]

 [/url] [/IMG]

 [/url] [/IMG]

Real nice cane, Slim! I agree, can't beat 'em!

Do you have multiflora rose?  Years ago many agencies planted it for small game cover-it took over.   Almost impossible to get rid of.  Makes excellent shafts.

Nice cane arrows, Jamie. I'm fortunate to have hill cane growing along the creek that runs through our property. I get 200 to 300 canes cut each January. It also makes good trade items.