Survey; how many of you are becoming more "DIY" ers?

[Arkansaslongbow]

How many of you are making your own equipment{bows,arrows,ect:} rather than buying it through a national chain brand or through mail order; this includes scents,camo, or whatever else is being used for hunting;

I am trying to become a more "DIY" kind of bowhunter; I am  DESPERATELY trying to learn how to build my own laminated bows; have not started yet but believe me, when I want something this bad it will happen;

Let me know where you stand..thanks.....  

[J. Holden]

I'm half and half.  I'd love to make my own bows and such.  But when I look at what the start up costs for some of these projects I think, I could buy a new one for what it will cost.  Or I think to myself, just use what you have.  Make it work, and then there's always the thought, the Indians were doin' it for years with loin cloth and a stick.  That always makes me rethink what I want to buy.

-Jeremy

[Ron+dog]

havent tryed a bow or arrows yet but i fletch my own and have been building targets and other stuff since i got into the sport
POOR BOY ARCHERY PRODUCTS coming to a thrift store near you
good luck with the bow post pics id like to try it soon but i need to reasearch alittle more first
 

[3Feathers]

I make my own arm-guards and knife sheaths.Fletch my arrows,want to try wood arrows.Losing interest in gun hunting more everyday.Traditional is so much more simple.

[bawana bowman]

I enjoy making my own bows, arrows, broadheads, and stands. Have been a DIY type for the past 35 years, but at my age it sure is easier to just buy and use. (Well at least time wise it is more convenient.)

[Smallwood]

I enjoy making my own arrows and bow strings.
In the past, I have made arm guards, tabs, and a backquiver. I love diy stuff and am always excited to learn something new, or a different way of doing something .

[mmisciag]

I'm working on Arrows as I am new to Archery. I have made a cresting machine using a sewing motor. I have crested two doz. arrows so far. I will buy everything else.

[BCWV]

For me, it's part of archery. Making what I can gives me more enjoyment of the sport. Most of the time it would be cheaper for me to buy at first but I do it more for fun than savings.

 I've been that way with every sport I've taken up. Reloading, making cast bullets and accurizing my own firearms when I was into that.
 
 When I took up black powder it was casting balls, making patch lube and then on to building rifles.

 As for archery, I've started a self bow but will have to try and finish it this winter when I get some free time but do enjoy making arrows, strings and quivers. It just adds to it for me.

 Some folks don't like making arrows, strings and other things and there's nothing wrong with that. I myself, enjoy it.

[northland archer]

I am adding more and more each day.  Started to make my own broadheads and cane arrows.  Just don't trust my ability in bow making yet.  I applaud those of you who can do it start to finish.  Keep the info coming.

[Blackstick]

I am slowly headed in that direction. I started by fletching my own arrows and moved on to reserving my string last year. I have just bought a couple spools of fast flight plus material and a video “Doin’ the Twist”. I will be trying my hand at string building, soon. One day I hope to build my own selfbow.

[vtmtnman]

I love doing everything myself.Would love to get into self bows and Lam bows but haven't the room for it at the present time so that is on hold.I build strings and arrows for me.Getting into knapping too.Arrows are my archery passion.I can't tell you how much I love building them.I couldn't believe some folks don't like to make them.

[BigArcher]

I am a DIYer.  Make the bows and arrows.  I usually buy the sharts for times sake but have made them. even made some points.  Stone and metal.  Made the quivers, can make a pretty decent string.
I read up a bit about the cost of getting started. I just read some books, cut a piece of vine maple and started. Pretty cheap. Draw knife came from a antique store and was cheaper than a new one. Wood rasp about $10 and some sand paper.  I already had the hatchet.
  I really like the first shots from a new bow.  Thinking this was a stick a while ago.

BigArcher

[Billyjack]

I make my own arrows and bow strings,started making hip quivers and gave thought to making a bow.Also made all my equipment string jig,spine jig,figure to start on equipment for bow making.

[ron w]

I make some stuff now and then,sometimes for me,  sometimes for others. Keeps me out of trouble!!!

[Mike Vines]

If you wanna make your own bow, start out going thru Bingham Projects. I built a recurve as my first one in 2003, then a longbow in 2005 that's when I realized my allergy to epoxy fumes, so then I went onto arrows (just wraps and fletchings), I just picked up 3 awesome chunks of black locust logs for a friend in hopes he will show me how it is done.  Just last week I made my own flemish string jig and also string.

I guess you could say I'm cheaper than American money.  LOL

[Silent Bear]

I do pretty much everything off the land, my only cost is buying deer tendon to back my bows, make bowstrings and fletching arrows