Bow building is something I'm getting into and my dad just bought me a workable stave. I a hickory stave since it's one of the most commonest and easiest wood to work with. Other woods include elm, ipe, osage, cypress, guava, and zebrawood. Since archery and bowhunting my thing it just feels right for someone like me to craft a bow of my own.

References:

The Witchery of Archery

From Billets to Bow

and The Traditional Bowyers Bible......