Well I am still not off to a good start.  I slugged my crippled body up through a friends choppin thru 2 ft of snow to a pile of logs he said he had.  I found the ironwood  he said was there.  Slugged back thru the choppin thru the 2 ft of snow, got it home and started to split this beauty of a log.  Wasn't the damn thing full of punk wood.  Just crumbled when the ax and wedges started through.  OMG this is not a good start.  I could have cried  or started swearing and probably would have if my 3 year old daughter wasn't there cheering me on.

Eastern fisher,
 I have had two white oak bows fail including my last.  I am going to try one from heartwood only on my next attempt.  I would recomend the white ash for your first attempt and agree with Randy to take it slow.  If you succeed in creating a bow from a tree it will be something you will enjoy for years to come.  Put into it what you want out of it.
And when I do crest the white oak bow summit I will submit brag pictures.  Enjoy the shaving!
 

White ash will be it.  Just have to find it now.

Shovel handles are made of ash. Make a good first self bow.