Sundown,
   Last spring, I cut a new walking stick.  It never did feel quite right, if that makes any sense.  I think it was because it was already dead when I cut it from a fallen tree.  During the new moon a couple of weeks ago, I decided to cut a new one.  I was more methodical with this one, showing much more respect and leaving the old stick in its place as a sort of payment.  This was on land that I find very magickal.  Ever since I've been reading your posts, I've wondered if the time of day (or night) I cut the stick might make a difference.  Also, might it matter if I cut it on high or low ground?  Would the phase of the moon or the season matter?  Am I overcomplicating it?  I'm letting it season pretty thoroughly before I do any actual work on it.  It's leaning against my water heater right now so it will cure slowly and thoroughly.  

Blessings.
Monk

First off there are never any dumb questions. I still ask them all the time,lol.
The time of day or night has never bothered me. I feel like I want or need to go look for sticks. Or I may just want to walk in the woods   . I may not find anything, just relax and let them show themselves. I always enter the woods with reverence, they are all special to me. If I find a stick or even several I leave an offering. I don't always find "down" sticks or trees, I also concentrate on thickets that need more room to grow. Now move the stick away from the water heater, that will cure it to fast, it wont hurt but if it cures laying down there is less chance it will bow or bend as it cures. If it wants to bend or bow to much clamp it on a flat surface and let it finsih curing.
Leaving the old stick is wonderful, and it's great you found one that called to you. Take your time, it will let you know. Just remember wood speaks slowly so it may take some time. I also seal the ends of sticks with wax or even polyurethane spray to keep them from splitting and checking. Then I trim that bit off when I am ready to start.
I look forward to seeing this stick. Let me know if I can be of assistance.

Blessings
Sundown

Great advise Sundown. You even taught me something about curing the wood   . GreenMonk, I too prefer to use downed wood over cutting into a live one (I spend way too much time in the woods to have the tree spirits pissed off at me   ) I also use live pieces at times when I find that perfect piece that I just gotta have . Above all else though, I can't stand waste. I like turning a piece of "dead" wood into something that can be used or admired. It sort of honors the life that the wood once had (just my opinion). But even "dead" wood calls to me sometimes. The very first thing I ever carved was a walking stick I made for my dad. It came from a piece of a branch that fell from a friend's tulip poplar. There was just something in that branch that said "take me home"- and who am I to argue . Best of luck with all of your wood working endeavors.

Blessings,

Draco