need Help getting started with American Hornbeam selfbow.

[whitetailhyper]

i am preparig to start my first bow project and I have an American Hornbeam trunk and unsure how to get started.  here is a pic of the iron wood i harvested.   http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa417/tuckerelectric/ironwood.jpg
I searched ironwood and from what I read I figure I need to split em right down the middle and let them dry. But I want to do it the best possible way so I am asking for your advise.  I saw were someone advised to remove the bark and let that be the back. I like the idea if it is sound advise. All you experienced bowyers please chime in with your best advise. it is much appreciated.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Did you seal the ends? if not you need to. I would split from the small end toward the base. You can also kerf it with a circular saw and split it down the kerf line.

 Stiks

[whitetailhyper]

I did seal the ends with latex paint.

[whitetailhyper]

since I am planning on using one side as the back of my bow how should I position the knots (few.)  Should I split it where these are on the back/belly or sides?

[Pat B]

Split your logs in half, seal the ends and store them in the dry. After a month you can reduce the halves to staves. At any time you can reduce a stave to almost bow dimensions, seal the back and give it a month and begin tillering.
  If you have knots try to get them down the center of the limb or add extra wood around them near the edge. Follow the grain of the wood.
  The bark has already attached to the wood for this season. The growing season is over in most parts of the country. You will have to remove the bark carefully as to not violate the back ring under it. The bark will slip again next spring when the growing season begins.

[whitetailhyper]

Thanks, Pat!  I appreciate the expert advice. I will go forth and make bow.