So I am making my first attempt at processing my own fletching. I have turkey, Canada Goose, and Snow goose feathers.

While watching a tube video of CH building his own fletching he said he matches up feathers of similar size to make fletching from, because some are stiffer than others.

This brought to mind my question:

Do you think different feathers would have enough impact on arrow flight to be a factor in making arrows? I was thinking of using two Canada goose feathers, and a Snow goose feather for the cock feather.

Will different stiffness in feathers be an issue in arrow flight?

I am not interested in glueing up several of each an evaluating my own outcome, It would be much easier to hear from somebody with experience.

sorry, I ask because I do not know

oz

The primary wing feathers of a snow goose is basically the same color as a Canadian goose, so I don’t see the objective of mixing them. If you are thinking of using the white secondary feathers of a snow goose, the just match them up with secondary wing feathers from a Canadian, in other words, matching stiffness of the feathers.

I have a dozen arrows with goose hen feathers and barred turkey cock fletch. They fly just fine.

MP

Nope. I've used duck and Turkey feathers on the same arrow and found it makes no difference at all.

It's quite common in native cultures to mix feathers on arrows.

Probably makes a tiny bit of difference, particularly if the stiffness isn't the same, but not enough so most of us would notice.

I’ve noted a difference between European and African swallows. Definitely stick to one or the other.

Fletch an arrow up ,and shoot it to see if you like it, or not. Do that,and you will know.

NOPE: I use turkey and goose feathers together all the time. Arrow still goes in the direction I am aiming.

Thanks guys

that is what I expected to hear, but Mr. Hay's video had me asking myself, should it matter to me.

oz

Just because its in a youtube video doesn't make it true or fact, merely his opinion and as the old saying goes, "everybody has one"

Bob

Usually my range arrows include a couple with 1/2 a fletch missing and they group with everything else.

I'm anal so that wouldn't do.

"Just because its in a youtube video doesn't make it true or fact, merely his opinion and as the old saying goes, "everybody has one" .

Unless it comes from somebody who knows what he is talking about. CH been doing it quite a while. You could do worse than taking instructions from him.

Ol' CH seems like nice enough guy. But I'm guessing he will never handle as much fetching as aromakr already has.

The real question is, are you good enough to *detect* the difference?

I could probably mix anything and *not* see the difference ;-)

DanaC

No I am not good enough to "detect" the difference.

oz

I KNOW I'm not good enough to detect the difference and proved it to myself.:)

No two feathers are exactly alike, even on a turkey. If similar, will not make an appreciable difference at normal hunting ranges.

“ Usually my range arrows include a couple with 1/2 a fletch missing and they group with everything else.”

Pshooooot.....

I’ve shot arrows with only half of one fletching LEFT, they seemed to group with everything else.

I would guess that’s 100% about how nice you want them to look.

Steve you can dye the goose feathers, it is not a big change but it is noticeable. I have dyed them with red dye and they turn out a maroon color. I have seen some that were done with blue and they look cool also. I don't see why mixing Canada Goose and Snow Goose would be a problem. Best thing would be to do it and see. Like Bob said everyone has an opinion. It's like the weather man they all got an opinion and we know how accurate that is. Jack

I mix with no difference.

I have plenty of goose feathers, I put the story of why with a trade request in the SWAP and TRADE for January.

thanks oz

You can dye any feathers. I've dyed pounds of them.

You need to pre-soak them to soften them up, simmer them in hot but never boiling water, and use vinegar or another acid to help burn the dye in. Rinse with cold water when you take them out of the dye bath to set the color.

You will never get brilliant colors unless you bleach dark feathers first.

i have used various combinations of mixed feathers from a house Maarten and from the Plummer, and have seen no discernible differences in maintaining air-speed velocity. However, my testing was done only in a temperate zone.

JD- I think you will find that tropical fowl, such as the African swallow are easier to mix and match. European or North American birds seem to be much more sensitive and need to be specific. I’ve had great success with the Mercian swallow myself.

You could make fletching Clays way, with just a razor knife and sandpaper, but thats too easy.

Or...... you could use my method,come up with some hardwood, spend some silly time woodworking, hunting down metal strips, hinges and latches, order a drum sander and use a drill press with a shop vac for dust, and get a wheel cutter (which does work really good)and do the same thing ;)

Mercian swallows, eh Yoop?

How do you know so much about swallows?

Ornithology is merely a hobby. Shrubbery is my true passion.

OK, boys. Clean it up. Family-friendly site, right?

Some watery tart threw a sword at him...

Sorry, OP. All I can add is crow feathers make terrible fletchings.

GF, nothing I said is remotely adult only. I think you missed what we are talking about.

My original answer to the OP question of mixing feathers was to match up primaries or secondaries was more due to durability than flight. I agree if arrow is well tuned to bow any feather or even none at all will fly well. I shoot both wild turkey and Canadian goose feathers, and turkey always last better longer than the goose. They are just more durable. The same will apply to mixing primary and secondary feathers, the stiffer feather will normally last longer. If you shoot a lot and refletch as needed or wanted it might make a difference to you if you like purty arrows.

Goose aren’t worth the effort IMO, turkey just work. Swan would probably be good ;)

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