Went back to feathers this year. I believe the feathers are more durable.

Seems I am the only, or one of the only, vane advocates. This should be where I throw out an opinionated comment like.....

"Feathers are only a band aid for a bow that is improperly tuned or for an arrow with improper insert/shaft/nock alignment."

And I would counter: And vanes are for cheap ba$tards who are also too lazy to take the proper amount of time to fletch with feathers and have the most accurate forgiving set-up they can"

how's that?

I agree PABowhunter with your statement that feathers for SOME are a bandaid for an untuned bow, but some of us who use them just like them for their Just-in-case factor. Just in case my rest gets bumped a little and I don't know it and I get a shot at the buck of a lifetime and I get a little fletching contact, feathers might be the difference in me making a good shot still or making a bad shot if I was using vanes and getting a little contact. I am in no way bashing vanes they truly have their place in this sport. I just seeing feathers as being a better option in most circumstances.

Nice come back. Before I launch into a witty rebuttal I would say for those who did not get the jest of my last post that it was said in a tone in no way serious but rather somewhat of a parody on some of the comments that typically pop up on some of the various archery forums.

However.....

Accurate and forgiving of what? An improperly tuned bow for a shooter with poor shooting form?

[:-]

PABowhntr, I got exactly what you were saying, I know it was toung-in-cheek. I like to think i've seen just about every argument for or against feathers and vanes, their both good. I just felt the need for some reason to explain a little why I use feathers. No offense taken or implied, not trying to start a never ending battle. Which we all know this topic could easilly reach 3 or more pages in no time with the never ending debate of wich is Better, feathers or vanes

I shot feathers last year, and im going back to vanes......The problem i have is when u shoot a deer u have to clean the feathers and then waterproof them again, i dont have time to deal with every idocincricy.

"ALWAYS LEAVE THE WOODS WITH SOMETHING"

PABOWHUNTER , I have a genteler comeback , I need all the bandaids I can get .

i think im going to get feathers i have a snitty set up

That statement is so far out in left field, it is not even in the ballpark.

In fact, in part it is just the opposite. For some shaft setups that are best for hunting purposes (weight and broadhead), especially when pushed hard down range, feathers may be necessary to impart accuracy and good flight, and using a plastic vane would be detrimental.

If feathers are nothing more than a "band-aid," a lot of superb shooters have set records and/or bagged game for many years with bad flying "band-aided" shafts.