Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

Question: The cons to using feather fletchings are durability, noise (which I don't buy into the 'in-flight' noise being an issue. Handleing noise may be different, I'll grant that) and moisture. Ummm......there are several birds who have no worries about water. Why can't we use the wing feathers from these species? Are only the body feathers kept oiled up? Seems to me like the waterfowl hunters would have thought of this a long time ago.

Just curious. There must be an answer. (Likely its very simple.)

RE: Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

if you get no reply post on the traditional forum...them guys know their feathers...

ive seen "Alex the Hawk" (i think it was) there used some "diffrent" feathers on arrows..ithink goose or swan.

for some reason turkey feathers are pretty much always used. i think because they are somewhat stiff and riged compared to other feathers..but i dont know...

RE: Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

I am speculating here, but I imagine that while the feather is on the bird it is constantly "oiled" by the birds body. Of course you loose that when it is removed from the bird. Also, if you watch birds they "maintain" their feathers through preening and this probably spreads the essential oils around. There are some birds, such as duck and others that are probably more water friendly than turkey, but I think the below reasons are possibly why they aren't used as much.

As far as turkey feathers being used, they are 1- very abundant due to commercialization of domestic turkey and therefore cheap and easier to get your hands on, 2- are of a size that are easiy to use in manufacturing, 3- have been used successfully for arrow steering for a long, long time (they work in other words). Also, many other bird feathers are not legal to have in your possession due to federal laws dealing with protected species.

JM2C

RE: Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

Snood pretty much summed it up. Some trad guys, particularly in the Pacific Northwest and coastal Alaska use goose wing feathers instead of turkey feathers for fletching. How much better it is, I personally don't know. On the birds themselves, again, like he said, they have a "preen gland" which contains oil. It is at the base of tail on the dorsal side. They reach back with their bill, and get the oil and spread it out over their feathers by preening. I'm sure it works well for a while, but periodically needs to be redone in nature, so it also needs to be redone when we are using feathers for fletching.

RE: Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

Goose feathers do hold up better to moisture. I know several folks that hit up the waterfowlers for the goose wing tips.

RE: Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

Soilarch, no new idea there.

There are those who love using goose feather fletchings (Canadian Goose). People either cut and grind them themselves or have them processed. I'm not completely sure but I believe that migratory lawsmake it tough (but not impossible) forsuppliersto sellthem. They are not as tough (they are soft) as turkey feathers though and they are usually grey or black. But they are waterproof. Here is a pic of what they look like (medieval arrow):

RE: Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

What a beautiful arrow.

RE: Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

I'll second that...that's some lovely work there.

RE: Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

Hmmm....do they have noticeable shorter lifespans (I guess we can call it that)? And are they any quieter when handleing? I figured that if I was thinking on the right track the availability would have to be the main reason they weren't more popular. I'm in luck, I have several goose/duck hunter buddies and I usually make a couple hunts each year. None of us have enough money to go around mounting geese so I've got the availability part covered.;)

....and those are some beautiful arrows.

RE: Why shouldn't feathers be waterproof?
 

Just remember that you can't really strip the goose feathers as you can with turkey feathers. I believe for about 20 cents per feather you can get them processed though. Shoot LBR in the trad forum a PM is you go that route. I believe he uses Raven Archery for that.