Yes I use real feathers than plastic vanes, the vanes do not give as they pass, feathers do. I will admit by the end of the season the feathers are beat and time to refletch. I have a rotation system, I shoot 5 or 6 for practice and keep 4 for hunting fletched and everything identical, test fire with broadheads and set to go. When the season is over, I re-fletch the practice arrows and make them next years hunting and then since the hunting did not get shot much, become the practice arrows! I even have gateway feathers cut my wing feathers from my turkeys and use them!