Hey guys. I know for a while there we could no longer get seal skin for our rest material. I'm all out of mine and was wondering if it is available anywhere?  I can't seem to find any. If not what is the next best thing?

get a club and head to Canada, probably about the right time of year

Seal fur imports to the US have been banned.  Russia just recently banned import of seal fur as well.  They still harvest it in Canada, but it is illegal to import it to the US. I believe the EU and Japan have banned it as well.

Although I have not tried it, I would think beaver would be pretty good as well.  I think you could use any heavier leather such as cowhide.  You could probably treat any leather with silicone or snoseal to make it water proof.

Thanks bowslinger

Look for a pair of gloves,boots or jacket on some of the auction sites.

I stashed some seal skin, but I've heard otter pelts work really well.

I have calf hair on my Tall Tines right now.  Preliminary results are good, I need to get some real world testing done on it this fall to see if it is going to be my new rest material or not.

I have seal skin on my longbow shelf. But it comes from the very north of Europe, where seal hunting is legal.

Scott Teaschner sold me some Kangaroo leather that he makes rests out of. It's the best thing I have used. I even like it better than Seal skin.
David

The beaver fur sold as arrow rests is not a good substitite. Its not that its bad but it is nothing like the other.

Has anyone tried the faux seal skin??

Jon-I have something here that someone sent me years ago. Not sure what it is, but you're welcome to stop by and look at it and if it's seal you can have it. I have no idea what it is.

Hap

Jon,
Occasionally you can find dolls made of/with seal skin at junk stores and flea markets. Buy them cheap and dismember them! I've gotten enough skin from 1 doll to do 3 bows easily.

I like the soft velcro, not the bristly side. I also use just plain leather.

Seal skin has the aesthetic edge for wonderful custom bows. In a hunting setting I can see very little advantage to my seal skin rests over several other products I've used. The soft leather in it makes it less than ideal for staying in place under any and all weather conditions...especially in wet/humid environments.

For pure hunting serviceability, Shedrock nailed it. The soft or 'loop' side of sticky velcro is unsurpassed for durability, quiet and adhesion. Easy to carry more in your possibles bag, too.

The length of the seal hair gave me a superior clearance similar to a feather rest so I liked it as far as natural materials went. Using weather rests today.

Tuff as nails is stingray, not fuzzy but tuff

I also use velco

i have a few pieces for sale on the "quivers and leather archery goods" section of the classifieds.