Bamboo Harvesting for plant supports?

[jtjmartin]

There are some pretty large expanses of bamboo growing around Williamsburg. I pass one or another almost everyday in my travels.

Is it pretty simple to harvest it (with permission from the landowner)? Does it need to dry or be cured before using it as stakes?

I realize that there are different varieties of bamboo - does it make much difference for just making stakes?