Denny Sturgis Jr. and I were recently talking bowhunting and shooting(as usual!) when the subject of Ghillie suits came up. I was telling him about my homemade lightweight version...and Dennny say's, you should work out the details and offer Ghillies pre-sewn in a kit form and let guy's finish them, custom to their hunting grounds.
What say you, Tradgangers?
That sounds like a great idea. Don't have to settle for one that kinda matches the terrain.
Rob
I say go for it Rod! sounds like a great idea, and if it's half as good as the other Safari Tuff products! it should be quite awesome.
Rob
sounds pretty good to me.........WELL? When can we get one? Mike
Rod,
I can't imagine you talking about archery -- especially with Denny!! :D
Your idea sounds very good, but I for one am in the dark as to what your "homemade lightweight version" of a Ghillie suit looks like or what would have to be done to finish it, custom to my hunting grounds. If that finishing takes a lot of work or time or skill, I am not sure I am the one to do it, but if it is fast and easy, I am game. Do you have a picture of your own suit and some ideas about what the kit would be like and what it would take to finish it out? I know that everything you do is absolutely first class, so I am not worried about your end of things -- I am worried about the fella on this end: me! :archer:
Take care friend,
Allan
great idea
i have been thinkin on gettin a ghillie
Allan...don't worry, nothing I do takes much talent, other wise I couldn't do it :biglaugh:
Finishing the Ghillies, I have in mind would only require tying simple knots...lots of them !
Another question.... would an inner layer of bug suit material be something of value?
Rod,
Tying lots of knots, heh? So are you going to offer some patterns that will be pre-finished at additional cost for those of us with more money than time?
I have never used a bug suit before, but when I go somewhere I really need it, something tells me I will want to have it, so "yes" on the value of the bug suit material.
Also a "yes" on the value of offering pre-finished patterns for the Ghilly suit. And we know that you have lots of talents -- not only do you produce great merchandise, you didn't get the World Champ title because you were just lucky! :saywhat:
Allan
Rod,
Would it be one suit, like a ghillie with a hood? Or would there be a seperate hat and facemask.
I think the light weight "do it yourself" idea would be great.
I would like to see a ghillie system where you can use it to adapt to the hunting situation as well as the environment.
It makes a huge difference for me whether I'm stalking all day in the hot sun or sitting still trying to ambush an animal.
Thanks!
Ryan
i'll take one
Rod get it out there-I am sure I will want one, and one for my son too! :archer: :cool:
I love my ghilli so much I am gona wear it for Haloween!!!!
Sounds like a good idea.
Thanks for the feedback!
I'm thinking a one piece hooded Ghillie using lightwieght synthetic materials in base colors suitable in most any terrain. The advantages of synthetic materials are not only light weight,but they dont retain ordor and are washable, as well as allegery free, for the guy's(like myself) that can't tolerate jute and burlap.....but of course they can be added by the user who do not have allergey problems.
Go for it, I am sure they would be a good seller. I would take one. Shawn
Rod, ya definatly got my attention, yes to pre made and bug suit mesh.
Danny
Rod, I'd be very interested in one. The only ghille that has appealed to me has been the Day One in asat. I'd really like something designed with the traditional archer in mind. As far as having bug resistant mesh, I've had better luck with my thermacell than my bug tamer suit, but any little bit helps so I'd rather it have the bug liner than not have one. You have an excellent idea and I for one hope you pursue it further.
There are those of us who are still raising kids , and they want what we hunt with...so, cost could be a limiting issue.
Business is just that,but value is sought after.
I have no doubt about quality from the sellers/sponsors here.
Bug liner and hood ; YES !
Billy, limiting cost was the whole idea behind a "kit form" Ghillie, which would have all the work done that requires tools and machinery the average hunter doesn't have around the house,but with some of the time consuming work, could have a Ghillie custom to their terrain, along with their shooting style and preferences....heck, you coule get whole family involved in the handwork, have fun and save some$$$
How bout pics of your ghillie Rod so we can get a look see ? We both hunt in AL and TN and you know how hot bow season can be, will it be light / cool enough to hunt in Oct ? Mason and I hunted yesterday and even with the overcast sky it was still 78 degrees when we hit the woods ! We only had on thin pants and long sleeve paper thin t shirts and still sweating ! How bout a built in AC system , haha !!!
nocams :biglaugh:
I'm interested, I've been thinking about getting one.
go for, i am looking for one in about 3/4 lenght
doug77
Sounds good to me. I've never used a ghillie suit so I have a question or two. How do you make/modify one so it doesn't interfere with your bowstring? How bout a way to pack in/out so you don't have to drag it through the brush.
Any prototype pics Rod? Thanks...Mike
Doug...yeah I'm thinking 3/4 length
Mike...no pics yet. What mades the kit form great is the abilty to be made to work i=with your shooting style...for instance I'm right handed and shoot the bow upright, so my ghillie has very short material, across the chest area, and none on the inside of my left arm..of course when the shot dictates canting the bow, I have plenty of clearance.
With my personal ghillie, I built a carry bag into the suit...simply fold all the ghillie into its selfbag and zip close, then use the shoulder strap to carry......works very well, and I plan to include the carry system into a production model.
Thanks Rod, what is the best way to determine where not to put strands? Or is the best way to just make the shoot and cut and trim where needed? Dang, I think this thread is gonna cost me more $$$. :)
Before offering, I'll come up with detailed instruction's...but simply put, I put the base on and shot my bow, paying attentsion to where I could have string interference and built accordingly...for instance, the inside of your bow arm doesn't need cover, so I left it bare, as that where most of the interference comes from..and the base suit is camo, anyway. I used lots of material on the top and back of the shoulder's, as well as the neck area of the hood, to really breakup my outline.
Rod,
Not only something I am interested but lets talk about a dealer program on them.
Mike
I do own a ghillie... These "issues" need to be addressed in a new one for me.
Weight- mine is too heavy to still hunt in.
Lenght- build a 3/4 suit for the avg. 5'8 guy.
Hood- gets in the way, head movement. Would prefer a short billed hat/mask combo.
Heat- Jute/burlap is heavy and crazy hot. I will not hunt in mine until late November.. The temps are just too warm until then.
I forgot.. GREAT idea. Please let us know if you make this happen.
John III
Rod - if it's anything like your other products you'll be swamped.
I've got an old MO leafy suit, not what I'd call a guille but they're readily availible. I agree with just about all the points already posted:
1) 3/4 length for average (5,10) height
2) long, shirt/poncho style with an inner waist tie
3) Lack of a bug liner - Thermacells have really helped in this area.
4) A removable hood (possible snapped on?) so if the user wanted to attach it to a hat they could.
5) zip pocket on the inside for easy storage.
Hope it becomes reality!
Chris
I thought average height was 6'2" :)
Can't wait to see/try this product. Anyone have any luck using a ghillie instead of a blind for turkeys?
Mike
Yes a bug liner and EASY for me to finish.... sign me up for one.
Yeah buddy, all of the above
one piece, light color couse you northern guys can find dead stuff to hide in. us desert dwellers cant exactly find live cover
go for it!
Bug liner is over kill. Just my opinion. I have a "lightweight" ghillie with the jute threads and mosquitos can't penetrate it. The bug liner will just make it even hotter.
I just got done re-doing mine and it takes a good while, but thats counting trimming all the old jute off. I didn't re-do the hood cause I never used it. I just use a boonie that has camo cloth draped off the back with camo cloth strips and leaves on it.
Ghillies are the best camo PERIOD. You'll love them if you get one.
I say go for it Rod.
Been following this thread and I think something like this would work well for me here in Oregon. It would help brake up my form more than the camo I already wear. The 3/4 length would be perfect.
Yeah Rod, I'm game. Go for it. The 3/4 length sounds like it would be the way to go. :thumbsup:
Thanks for all the input! Before attempting to bring a product to market it makes sense to me what feature's are imprttant to other's.
Rod no bug liner too much weight
Seperate hood /face mask
Needs to be light weight as possible
I say yes, do it. Full kit, partial kit too. some may want just parts of it to add to their gear they have now.
Kit Idea is a good one, Rod!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
David
I'm in!! Been wanting to get one but have held off due to many the factors mentioned...The lightweight and open bow arm are most important to me...I would get one with or without the bug liner. I'd rather have it than not.
Please put me on the list for one. I love my quiver - I'm sure you'll turn out another well designed, quality product....keep me posted.
Christian
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
This is a great idea, Rod. I have a 3 piece ghillie and the bottoms are a pain. Tough to walk/stalk in. And the hat has netting over the face area that I can't see clearly enough through in shaded woods. A 3/4 length sounds great. I like the idea of a removable hood.
Ron P.
Bug liner is a GREAT idea. Not necessarily the bug tamer type but a light weight mesh. I made one with the Mirage Camo leafy and added to it with synthetic threads and like the mesh. Keeps it light and does help against bugs. Keep me posted on your first offerring please!
I would prefer no bug liner. I live in south Ga. and it would add weight and heat. Besides a themacel is the best bug liner.RC
no bug liner and I would buy a kit for sure, when do you plan on making them?
Thanks again for all the feedback!
Ian...got several different material samples on the way....but I won't offer them before I've got all the bug's worked out!
Great idea. No bug liner to keep it simple, cool and lightweight. Keep us posted!
Have you guys read Dr. Ashby's article on making a ghillie suit? Too lengthy to fully discuss here, but one point I remember was his emphasis on the use of the color grey for the base color and then working in the other colors. This is to avoid making it too dark. I don't know where it was published, though since he just e-mailed me a copy. This ought to be a popular item. Good luck with it. Can you post some pics? Sam
Sounds good...a ghillie's on my list of future must haves.
QuoteHave you guys read Dr. Ashby's article on making a ghillie suit? Too lengthy to fully discuss here, but one point I remember was his emphasis on the use of the color grey for the base color and then working in the other colors.
People make camouflage too difficult and complicated. Just take a look at any animal that is preyed on and what color are they? They are either grey or light tan on top and white on the bottom. You don't need a PHD to figure that out, DUH!
How many times have you had a rabbit or deer within 10 yards of you or less and you never saw it till it moved?
Rod,
Now that you have gotten all this feedback, what plans can you share with us? Any hope of seeing something this year now that you have us all excited?
Allan
Allan...maybe! the first material sample's I recieved were not what I wanted for the base suit, but I got the second set of sample's today and they are very encouraging! With our deer season opening this week, I'm afraid I won't get much done on the project this weekend ;)
Rod,
I'm just glad to hear that you are meeting with some success. I know if you make it, it will be great, because you do everything first class! I am looking forward to hearing more. By the way, please put me down as an official order because I know I want one. If it meets your standards, it will be better than anything else I could buy and I will love it, just like the Arrow Master and the bow cases. Thanks for being such a great resource in so many ways.
Allan
TTT - any progress?
Is it gonna happen?
Sounds like a great idea!
instead of a bunch of knots, why not Velcro?
or you offer to finish the kit in the colors they choose,,, I'd be all over it because i'm not good with sewing and I usually just end up buying something already made after I messed up a few times.
I'd like to try one. Seems like a great idea to me.