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Turkey Calls => Call Making => Topic started by: Meleagris gallopavo on January 24, 2026, 02:25:36 PM

Title: Working with river cane
Post by: Meleagris gallopavo on January 24, 2026, 02:25:36 PM
How long does river cane take to dry enough to work with?  I'm planning on cutting some up with my bandsaw but I'm scared I'll mess it up if it's still green.  Also wondering if it will dry faster if I cut it into smaller sections.  I have the cane stored in my shop with no climate control, but I have a place to put some inside if it won't hurt to dry it faster.  Can someone give me some ideas on what to do here?  Thanks!


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Title: Re: Working with river cane
Post by: bwhana on January 24, 2026, 02:43:03 PM
I cut mine in the field green and then left it in long sections indoors for over 6+ months before I felt it was dry enough to work with.  I was surprised how long it took.
Title: Re: Working with river cane
Post by: Meleagris gallopavo on January 24, 2026, 06:22:08 PM
Quote from: bwhana on Today at 02:43:03 PMI cut mine in the field green and then left it in long sections indoors for over 6+ months before I felt it was dry enough to work with.  I was surprised how long it took.
Wow!  Wasn't expecting it to take that long!  Was that in a climate-controlled indoor environment?  Mine is still in long sections.


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Title: Re: Working with river cane
Post by: bwhana on January 24, 2026, 09:01:33 PM
I had them stood up in my finished basement hunting closet, so no high humidity or temperature swings. I kept checking them weekly and took forever. I cut mine toward the end of summer when they are still growing. I wondered if cutting them in peak of winter would be better with less moisture content while dormant??