Coloring Feathers?

Kip · 01-12-2003, 03:36 PM

I am wondering if I were to get a bunch of wing feathers from a tame turkey, would I be able to color them? And, if so, what the heck would I color them with? Dye? I think we can rule out any kind of paint, as that would turn your feather into a vane. Any ideas?

I would think dye would be the only choice, but I am unsure how well it would color them.

LBR · 01-12-2003, 04:08 PM

I tried to do some with Rit dye once, what a mess! I'd just use them natural--I like white feathers anyway. If you are afraid of them spooking game, use them for practice. I hunt with white (and yellow, and orange, and chartruese, and black) and haven't found color to be a problem--movement is what gets me busted.

Chad

Long Bows Rule!

Kip · 01-12-2003, 04:21 PM

Chad, Im just being cheap. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> I was just thinking that if I got a bunch of those all white feathers, I could color them whatever I wanted.
I wonder if an alcohol based dye would work?

stiller · 01-12-2003, 05:32 PM

Think that's what you buy at the archery shop, tame tutkey-dyed. Try food coloring.

Deleted User · 01-12-2003, 06:11 PM

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Kip · 01-12-2003, 07:18 PM

Thanks Recurveshooter, I'll give that a try. Sounds easy enough.
One question though, what does the vinegar to for the solution?

Deleted User · 01-12-2003, 07:51 PM

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Lilhunter · 01-13-2003, 01:12 AM

this is one of those questions better left to the fly tying relm IMHO. If you can find a good shop, steelhead tyer, or atlantic salmon tier, they can show you how to do it right and not completely repaint the garge in the process.

Deleted User · 01-13-2003, 06:41 AM

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Kip · 01-13-2003, 01:25 PM

Recurve and Lil, if you ever seen my steelhead flies, you would know Im no professional. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Im gonna give it a try as soon as I get my hands on some white feathers.