Home made string silencers...

[freefeet]

Does anyone make their own?

Are the pom pom ones just like wool pom poms?

[Friends call me Pac]

I make my own pom poms with 100% wool.  I shot and missed a deer at 15 yards the other day and noticed 3 more at about 25 yards to my left that I had not seen.  The only deer that had any idea that something was wrong was the one I shot at.  The others didn't even stop eating acorns.

[Soilarch]

You can make you're own catwiskers from the 'rubber leg' material they sell for fly-tying purposes. I made some once from but didn't leave them on long enough to really try them.  (The only color I had was white!  You can get them in just about every color you can think of.)

BUT you really don't save much money buying the rubber leg material.  The only benefit is the color choice and perhaps if you wanted longer catwisker than what's available.

[freefeet]

Thanks Pac, what sort of size, weight, compactness do go for?  

What's best, coarse or fine wool?

[Grey Taylor]

Soilarch, no offense but I beg to differ on the cost savings.
A leading archery supplier has one set of cat whiskers for $1.95, Some guys get two bow's worth out of the kit.
A leading tackle supplier has a sample bag of rubber skirt material for $3.49. In that you get 1' each of 10 colors. Probably a minimum of 20 bow's worth.

Guy

[NightHawk]

I've used yarn to make mine. I wrap the yarn around my hand attach it to the string, then I cut the loops and gently flick the string until it puffs out

[Toklat1]

I make mine out of beaver hides I trapped off of a friends property a few years ago. The hide that I use should last me a long long time. It was a huge beaver!  :D

[JRY309]

I make my own out of 100% wool yarn,works great.

[The Gopher]

yup i make em out of wool yarn and sew them onto a strip of ribbon just like the store bought ones. i made a jug out of plastic card and use my wifes sewing machine, i hate to brag, but they look storebought too.

[metsastaja]

I use camo wool 100%wool from joann fabric.

 
 
 

[waiting4fall]

Ditto for the heavy duty wool yarn.

[Paul WA]

get the heaviest yarn made...PR

[freefeet]

Thanks for the replies and those pics!

What sort of diameter pompom is best?

Do you tie the middle with anything or just let the bow string hold it together?

[Stone Knife]

I use raw wool, it's kinda smelly and greasy but it is waterproof and it works good and did I mention that I get it for free  

[freefeet]

Thanks, Les!

 

[metsastaja]

Welcome Stan.
happy to hear you got it. Cause it has disappeared now.

[NightHawk]

I use a small zip tie (cable tie) to attach it to the string

[Friends call me Pac]

Originally posted by freefeet:
Thanks Pac, what sort of size, weight, compactness do go for?  

What's best, coarse or fine wool?

Thicker courser yarn is better for me. My wife found a hank of yarn called "Fishermen's Wool" at a craft shop.  It is 100% wool and was just what I was looking for.

I make 15 wraps around 4 spred fingers.  Then I seperate the string and place the yarn in the split. I spread the yarn a little so it isn't bunched up. Snip the yarn ends loose and that's about it.  

If it doesn't look right just repeat the process to get the look that you want. My puff balls are about the size of a lemon and work well for me.

I leave the bow strung overnight and shoot it the next day.  After a few shots the yarn will start to puff out and take shape.