I've spent a lot of money over the years on gear/hunting clothes. I believe in having quality equipment. At the same time, I've begun to experiment with do-it-yourself gear.

SO- What have you done yourself that has turned out to be a win in the field?

As an example, here are some camo pants I'm working on...probably not the best method but I'm happy. $12 wool pants and some permanent markers.

 

 

Lookin good, might want to do both legs though.   :D

Tyvek bivy sack.  Not my original idea, stole it from Gil Gerwy, but it is a winner.  Light weight and waterproof.  Can't be beat for the money.

On my way to good wiil to look for pants. Thanks for the idea

No great find, discovery or solution. Had a bunch of old Desert Camo DCU's from my rich Uncle, that were just laying around. Added them to some warm water and a couple box's of Forrest green RIT dye and now have a whole new set of useable hunting camo.

LD

My homemade haversack.  used an old wool Army blanket.  It's 15" and 12" deep.  Put a divider in the center, made with 2 pockets, one big enough for my camera.  Also put 2 pockets on the inside back.  Soft, quiet, and holds all my extra, probably not necessary stuff.  Adjustable strap that can be used to attach to a carry in stand if needed.

 
 

That's awesome Selfbow!! Great work!

Maybe you missed your calling as a tailor. Nice piece of work.

My mother taught me to sew, cook, iron, and do most anything else around the house when I was growing up so that I would never have be dependent on a woman.

i try to make as much as possible, quivers, tents, solo stalkers, tabs and arm guards,pack boards/back packs, tree seats etc etc.
obviously the bows and the arrows too. for me the fun is doing as much as i can, coming up with new ideas, or improving on other peoples ideas.
i like building jigs/tools. arrow saws, feather processors etc
always room for improvement. just moved from self bows to glass bows- whoa !!!what a learning curve- its like a whole new game all over again.

i love seeing what others are doing-great ideas out there- might not be something i might need- but all awesome fun.

probably way cheaper to go work for a few hours, and go buy something, but i just love the process.

Nice job on the camo pants!

QuoteOriginally posted by SELFBOW19953:
My mother taught me to sew, cook, iron, and do most anything else around the house when I was growing up so that I would never have be dependent on a woman.

Mine did too. Sure came in handy in my 1st marriage!

A few items I use actively.  http://s994.photobucket.com/user/Petrovious1/library/Mobile%20Uploads

sorry accidentally double posted, first post below  

hey everyone - first post on TG, thought I'd say hello and kick off my introduction with my first craft - a 12 arrow quiver made from pvc, styrofoam and work pant fabric. if you can't  from the pics, the arrows don't fall out even when tipped upside down and shaken violently.
 
   
   
   
   

so a little about me - grew up in Idaho, now living in Utah at a psychiatric hospital. decided to get into archery and steer away from video games in the beginning of December - got a super Kodiak 60# for my first bow (before the heat comes in about getting such a heavy weight for my first, please understand that (and i say this humbly) - i've got a very conditioned and strong back (6 years of pullups and rigorous  strength training 5-6 days\\week) - after 2 Weeks of scapula adductor training i can now shoot 40-60 arrows with a proper draw\\release before my form starts to suffer.
anyway that was kind of a rant.. apologies    

oh, i'm Alex    
i was looking on the state lost for Trad shooters, noticed Utah isn't on there - anyone around the Utah or salt lake county?
looking forward to getting to know everyone and soaking up as much wisdom i can  

That's awesome Alex- thanks for posting! Keep it up!
As for the weight- 60# is just fine if you can handle it like you say you can. The nice thing on TradGang (as opposed to most other forums I've ever been on) is there are very few haters.
Glad to have you on here!

Dang, that's some impressive work Gang  

Great DIY stuff you all. Alex that quiver is awesome! Welcome to the Gang.

Nice camo pants. I make my own back quivers out of carpet tubes and cover with fleece, burlap and plaid cloth.

thanks guys     one of my mentors once said to me "if you want to make something happen, you're going to piss, people, off." talking about haters.
said another way "people who rain on your parade, do so because they have no parade of their own."

britt post some pictures! i'm very intrigued with how that turned out     (might try to replicate, i like the idea).