Newb question about cane arrows again...Drying cane

[SirRobin77]

Ok so i went and cut some cane yesterday and most of it is still green but some is brown. I have a couple questions. The brown shaft seem sturdy can i start construction on it now?
  How long do i let the green stuff dry before starting on it? Is it ok that its tappered on some shafts? Is 30" to long to use for cane?
Matt

[allanburden]

All the information you'll ever need about cane is right here    http://groups.msn.com/ferretsarcherywebpage/rivercanearrows.msnw

If the link doesn't work just look up theferret on here and go to his website.  Wonderful information about all kinds of topics.

[b.glass]

The tapering is what's so great about them. The more narrow end should be to the back where the nock will be. I just put my green ones out in the sun and forgot them for a while. I don't remember how long I left them. When I checked on them they were ready. Probably at least two weeks in the hot summer sun. The brown ones maybe ready I would just start on one of those and see what happens. Chances are you will get better at making them and that first one won't be your best anyway. That's what happened to me.

[Pat B]

Matt, Be careful of the brown ones. If they have been dead for a while, fungi has already set in.  When I collect cane I bundle them up and let them dry for a few weeks to a month, at least. You can be hand straightening them during this time too. Just un-bundle, straighten, re-bundle and set aside for a few more days and do again, etc. Pretty soon they should be relatively straight and only a little heat straightening will finish them off. I like to get the entire cane hot(tempering) and cool down slowly to ensure and maintain straightness.
  My cane arrows are 29" for my 26" draw. I prefer long arrows anyway but especially with cane. You get more weight and better flight, at least I do. The natural taper of the cane and the resilience of it makes it less sensitive to spine issues.
   Be sure the canes you harvested are mature. Most have a 3 year life cycle. The first year the shoot grows to its ultimate height. The second it matures(walls thicken and paper like node sheaths begins to deteriorate) and after the 3rd year they turn brown and die. Ideally you want cane after the second growing season(now) and into the 3rd before it dies.
   I'm off to my hunt club in GA for the weekend. See ya'll Sunday evening.    Pat

[Danny Roberts]

Don't use the ones with the long sheaths. They  won't harden up. The Ferrett has all the answers ! Good luck.