Most people do it simply cause it looks good. However there are a few of practical reasons to crest your arrows.

#1... it lets you follow the flight of the arrow to the target which will aid you in better calling a shot.

#2... it also allows you to judge the shot after a hit should you have not seen the exact spot of the impact. A white crested arrow will immediately let you know what kind of hit you got. Blood shows up very well on white. Dark blood usually means a liver or flesh wound. Bright frothy blood is a sure sign of a lung hit, and then you get the dreaded slime meaning a gut shot deer. All of this is much easier to see on a white background rather than a camoflague or black one (or some other color).

#3... it allows you to find your arrow much easier after the shot.

#4... if you are truely diping and cresting your arrows, not spray painting or vinyl wraps, it allows you to identify them from other arrows. It also adds a personal touch to hand built arrows.


When I fletch my arrows they all have plain white wraps or paint and at least two white feathers with the cock feather usually being a flourescent.