RE: feathers or vanes
 

I am an actual deer, so I feel that my opinion should be taken into consideration.

I love it when people use feathers, because I hear the arrows coming. I always jump over them or dodge out of the way before the arrow gets to me. I loved Ben Stiller's movie, "Dodgeball."

But this one time, at deercamp, two guys were shooting at me from different angles with feathery arrows. It sounded like I was in a beehive, all this buzzing around. They weren't very good shots, though, so I got away.

RE: feathers or vanes
 

LMAO!

Seriously, Feathers make a little noise but by the time the deer hears that, its too late.

I used to shoot feathers for their forgivng qualities on broadheads but my new personal preference is the new 2" blazer vanes for broadheads. I have found them to be nothing short of amazing!

RE: feathers or vanes
 

ROFLMFAO!!!!
Thanks quicksilver!

RE: feathers or vanes
 

I myself have used both (feathers and vanes) and prefer vanes. I found out when feathers get wet, they are weighed down, therefore not shooting straight when coming off your rest.
Also, how many times with feathers did you rub up against a tree, rock or bump the fletching of your arrow and find that several (blades) of the feather were distorted and/or missing?
I've killed many deer with vanes and I intend on using them instead of feathers.
Good luck and be safe.

RE: feathers or vanes
 

I carry 3 feather fletched arrows, and 2 vane fletched arrows. Both styles fly the same and impact within 1" out to 50 yards with my setup.

RE: feathers or vanes
 

i did some testing yesterday out to 80 yds with feathers vs. blazers, both right helical and with field pts. out to 50 yds with feathers and blazers with broadheads. i 'super' tuned the bow to broadheads as i'll be hunting this weekend, which still produced perfect flight for field tips, but the rest was slightly adjusted from field tip tuned. i used 5 blazers and 6 feathered arrows for the 80 yd field tip test. the blazers won. the 5 arrows were in a 4.5 inch group. the feathers were 6 inches lower poi and in an 8 inch group. for the 50 yd test with broadheads there was no difference. 1 of the feathered arrows was fletched offset and this made no difference in poi compared to the right helical fletched feathers. the feathers were 4 inch. i would like to get some 3 inch and try those from long distances. however, in the looks department the spliced feathers took the competition hands down.

disclaimer, i shot the arrows back to back and happened to pull 3 feathers for the last three 80 yd shots, and this may have had something to do with the larger group. i should have alternated.

RE: feathers or vanes
 

If your arrows aren't coming off the bow straight when your feathers are wet, it's due to the bow's tune, not the wet feathers. Arrows will fly straight with wet feathers. Even sopping wet feathers are still lighter than vanes of equal length, so if wet feathers make your arrows go crazy coming off the bow, then vanes should really have them doing the bob and weave. And there are ways of keeping your feathers dry in wet weather.

How many times have I bumped my fletching against a tree or rock and ruffled my feathers? Not very often at all. I was taught to move like a cat in the woods, not like a charging rhinocerous. ;) Seriously, anyone that wrecks their feathers simply walking through the woods, even crawling through brush on a stalk, they are moving far too carelessly.

How many times have I shot feathers that had barbs missing from the quills? A LOT. They shoot perfectly straight, even when one feather is missing half it's barbs. No sense in shooting with ruffled feathers since it only takes one quick swipe through a loosely closed fist to straighten them out again. Feathers that are really whacked out of shape, like ones that have been wet and had something laying on them while they were drying, they can be brought back like brand new with a little steam from a teapot.

Feathers do take a little more care than vanes do, no question about it. They are not as resistant to wet weather, no question about it. But they are so much better than vanes when it comes to properly balancing an arrow, controlling big broadheads and forgiving contact with rests, twigs and such - which also gives them less resistance when going through the hole the broadhead cut in the critter's hide for easier passthru's... As far as I'm concerned, feathers have got a lot more going in the plus column than in the minus column.

RE: feathers or vanes
 

My hunting arrows have always been white airbrush crested with feathers (not REAL feathers, but the manufactured ones)

A properly tuned bow should shoot an arrow like a dart with little assistance from fletchings. I shoot feathers for several reasons.

Despite using a high-tech compound bow and scent controlling chemicals, I try to be "traditional" in some respects. The feathers look and feel more traditional, and I'm a throwback kinda guy. Secondly, I like to be different. I paint designs on the crestings and match the feathers. They look very distinct.

Feathers, upon the release of the arrow, lay back like a mohawk in a windstorm. They are pinned back and less likely to strike a limb/twig en route to your target. Also, when you release your arrow, the arrow "snaps" from 0-300 f.p.s. in a fraction of a second. That acceleration actually knocks most or all of any moisture trapped in the feathers.
A little puff of moisture will spit out of the feathers when you hit your release. Wetness is not a factor.

A little dry-fly spray will keep moisture out of the cracks and water will bead up on the feather, just like it would on a vane.

From what I've seen, most guys who switch from vanes to feathers on their hunting rigs would never switch back. The proof is in the puddin'.

RE: feathers or vanes
 

The rest of Authers post was allso dead on , but try and do this with vanes and see what happens , your arrow wont fly straight . You'd be better off with an arrow that was completly missing one feather than one with a banged up vane .

RE: feathers or vanes
 

describes me to a "T." :D i switched this season and have been kicking myself for not switching sooner. i was really reluctant to switch, fearing that feathers were "delicate." my oh, my was i WRONG! i have just ABUSED them on purpose this season just to see how well they would hold up. they have withstood everything i can through at them and they still perform their function wonderfully. i am so happy i made the switch.