RE: What do you shot feathers or vanes and why?
Right off of a website, that sells feathers obviously.
Good information none the less:
Plastic vs Feathers
Where's the Advantage?
Plastic:
Low Cost.
Easy mass production.
Feathers:
Excellent Guidance.
No arrow deflection on release.
No long yardage before stabilized flight.
Higher arrow velocities.
Up to 700% lighter than vanes.
Eliminate bow window clearance problems.
Can be shot off the arrow plate. No tricky arrow rest required.
Less chance of brush deflection when hunting.
Bow tuning is simple and less critical.
More forgiving of mistakes.
Extends useable spine range of arrow.
Target deflection caused by deflection of an arrow hitting the fletching of another is minimal by using feather vanes which simply push open to make room.
Orientation of arrow on string is not critical.
Unaffected by hot and cold temperature extremes.
Aging: Feathers are unaffected by ultra-violet rays. Plastic stiffens and deteriorates.
Ecologically: Feathers are natural bi-degradable products.
Aesthetic: Quality die cuts have a smooth soft natural and historic appeal that can't be matched by the "toy plastic" image of plastic vanes.
Feathers: The confidence Builder!
Nothing equals feathers for:
Speed
Stability
Forgiving of mistakes
Accuracy