catapult hunting?

[Tartar Horde]

Ash can be used for making a bow, as can almost any wood, the only difference being the performance as compared to other "Bow" woods. Ash was the preffered wood for making English war Arrows because as Roger Askham (Toxophilus) stated "it gives the best Stripe". Yew is the best European wood to use for Bows, and the best does not come from England nor ever did!! the vast majority of Yew staves imported for bows during the Hundred years war were from Italy, as Yew grown at high altitude is the best because the growth rings are closer together than Lowland grown Yew. For those Colleagues living in North America you are blessed with having access to the two best woods there are for making bows, Yew and Osage Orange, the best Yew comes from the Cascade mountain Range, Osage Orange I'm not sure about the geographical distribution, but I believe it has a more Southern range and can be found at lower altitudes than the best Yew.