just contemplating working more with stain and dye options for my bows, was wondering if any of you guys who make your own can share the process. ive read some forums about vinegar and steel wool for ebonizing woods, and using tea to darken them as well. any other ways to make stains or dyes? i figure that many would probably be alcohol based?

I rarely stain or dye bows but foror whitewoods, especially hickory and ash, I like to use finely ground charcoal and bear fat(any oil) and hand rub it in. The charcoal dust gets in the grain and really sets it off.
 Another option is to use Rit dye and mix it with alcohol. By testing different ratios you can go from a solid color to a washed out color with highlighted grain.

thanks, i might have to try the charcoal. any specifics of what kind aside from not having lighter fluid in it? i know hardwood charcoal is used for alot of things that need charcoal without impurities.

I use charcoal from my wood stove. I keep it around for pitch glue. Any hardwood charcoal should work fine. I wouldn't use the briquettes but the chunk charcoal for the BBQ grill should be OK as ling as it doesn't have lighter fluid in it.

I've used blackberries to stain rivercane. Good time of year for balckberries. They should be ready soon!

Fall is a good time to gather and boil some black walnut husks in just a little water; till the water is about boiled away. Use the thick material for staining, wood, leather and your fingers! Smear some on your hunting boots, good cover scent for traps too!

Forgot to mention the pokeweed berries!

yea i used to use walnut husks back home in pennsylvania to stain stuff, my grandparents had a huge walnut tree and my grandpa and i gathered them every year to dye/ descent our traps.

I've used coffee a few time.

[ have used boot polish to stain my arrows and that works a treat  

Ive used red wine for arrows shafts.

all cool ideas, im going to bring back some staves from pennsylvania when i go tomorow over vacation, and ill try em out. also i found a way to make red oak look like ebony with iron vitamin tablets, it turns out pretty cool with varying results depending on the amount you use.