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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Bodork on October 11, 2008, 11:10:00 AM

Title: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Bodork on October 11, 2008, 11:10:00 AM
Supposed to be wet this weekend and I always hate it when my feathers get wet. Will scotchgaurd work to keep them dry? Thanks, Mike
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: ishiwannabe on October 11, 2008, 11:37:00 AM
Im not sure about scotchguard, but I have used NOSNOW with great results. At the Muzzy last year, I missed low and suck my arrow into the pond. Grabbed my arrow, shook off the water and was shooting it a few minutes later. It works really well in a light rain and with covering your fletching, would do fine in a down pour.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: jimmerc on October 11, 2008, 05:27:00 PM
I just started using it this year,so far it seems to hold up,i hunted last weekend in a steady drizzle with showers every now and then and the one i had nocked held up great! my other arrows i carry in a side quiver with a hood! good luck!!
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: mcgroundstalker on October 11, 2008, 05:43:00 PM
I've been using "SCENTSIBLE Feather Dry" by TOM PAK for years now and love it! It comes in a 4 fluid oz. spray bottle. Enough for three dozen arrows plus.

Give 'em a call @ 888-237-1568

... mike ...
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Rufus on October 12, 2008, 10:30:00 AM
Hey Mike, it is sooooo wet you might as well keep your feathers underneath your poncho with you! Ralph   :biglaugh:
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Tom L on October 12, 2008, 10:34:00 AM
Scotchguard works verry well.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Rufus on October 12, 2008, 11:04:00 AM
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm299/bowdart/rainyday2.jpg)
Have anything to do with wet feathers Mike? R2^
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: mqqse on October 12, 2008, 11:17:00 AM
Black Magic Tire wet works well.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Bodork on October 12, 2008, 11:20:00 AM
I'm not even going to try. Had plans to go today(Sunday) but the wind is howling in town so I imagine it's really gettin after it in the country. Figured I'd just get stuck anyway. I'll just hang out at the house and cuss my fantasy football team. Maybe I will put a handle on a knife blade I have.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Rufus on October 12, 2008, 02:53:00 PM
You guys never had problems with some of the stuff you be using eating on the glue you've used for feathers? I tried hair spray once and it ate my glue up. My rain gauge pix will probably disappear but I did send it little I thought. Anyway, it be very wet here in the Texas Panhandle which is very unusual for Oct. hunting. When it quits coming down it will be very strange to go poking around and not sound like I'm hunting in a bowl of Cornflakes.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: kirkwhitehead on October 12, 2008, 04:12:00 PM
Mike and Ralph, I have used the powder from bohning in the past with good results. That dang wind is something today isn't it.

I will be heading to the south rim of the canyon next weds or thurday for a DIY mule deer hunt.

kirk
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Rufus on October 12, 2008, 04:59:00 PM
Good luck Kirk. I've been seeing forkies is all so far on my place. This cool down should help get things moving. Keep your   :bigsmyl:   feathers dry.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Gitnadoix on October 12, 2008, 07:04:00 PM
I make my own outa fresh Canada geese wing feathers....seems to do the trick....

Also and dont laugh but ya can buy condoms the ones with the little tips, cut off the tips and take off the broad heads, then just slide them onto the arrows point end into them so that they hang over the feathers.  makes em 100% water proof and they pull off over the feathers easy as 1-2-shoot......but you do get some real strange looks from every one ya meet.....
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Bakes168 on October 12, 2008, 08:23:00 PM
I wouldn't hunt in the rain anyway...

Bakes
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: trapperDave on October 13, 2008, 01:52:00 AM
baby bottle liners
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Steve H. on October 14, 2008, 12:06:00 PM
Spray them with Helmsman Spar Urethane or Varathane.  Not too much, maybe 2-3 quick bursts, or you will turn them to a stiff piece of plastic!  This will work in the SEAK rainforest when all other attempts fail so will be good anywhere else in the US.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: captaincaveman on October 14, 2008, 08:52:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by mqqse:
Black Magic Tire wet works well.
+1
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Steve H. on October 14, 2008, 10:02:00 PM
"Black Magic Tire wet works well."

Tried that ONCE.....
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: snag on October 15, 2008, 09:32:00 AM
Hair spray takes pitch off your hands...not good for glue I would think!

"Tried that ONCE..."  as in I won't try that again or it only takes ONE application?  I figure a guy in Alaska ought to know what works well in wet conditions!
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Jwilliam on October 15, 2008, 11:06:00 AM
Feather powder works good. But I have switched to Grey Goose feathers. I always carry at least one hunting arrow fletched with Goose feathers in case it rains.


Bill
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: BobW on October 15, 2008, 11:30:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Gitnadoix:


Also and dont laugh but ya can buy condoms the ones with the little tips, cut off the tips and take off the broad heads, then just slide them onto the arrows point end into them so that they hang over the feathers.  makes em 100% water proof and they pull off over the feathers easy as 1-2-shoot......but you do get some real strange looks from every one ya meet.....
and you go try to explain to your wife that you are buying a box of condoms - for hunting.    :knothead:
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Hot Hap on October 15, 2008, 11:48:00 AM
I'm with trapperdave on the baby bottle liners. Pull them over the nock end and poke the nock through the bottom of the liner. Shoot as is. Liner will come off and lay at your feet. No noise. Pick up liner. Hap
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Roy from Pa on October 15, 2008, 12:13:00 PM
I'd wear a mask if I had to walk into a pharmacy and order the little condoms:)
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Steve H. on October 15, 2008, 12:27:00 PM
Snag, meaning as in never again!  BM is a slimy MESS!

I have tried "it all".  I hunt in the rainy months in areas with 60-120" of rain per year and found what really works.  Who ya' goina trust!
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Chad Sivertsen on October 15, 2008, 12:42:00 PM
I live in NW Montana and it can get wet here in late fall and through the winter. I enjoy hunting in a light to moderate rain. I've got a couple of the feather dry powders but have never used them. With a bow quiver I use a waterproof camo cover that goes over the feathers and works well but water can run down the shaft in a heavy rain.

Most times these days I shoot selfbows or bamboo backed and prefer to shoot them without a bow quiver so for a few years now I've been using a Lakota style quiver that covers everything but the nocks.  I like and it works well for me.

If you want to waterproof the feathers I would take Steve's advise. I love a rainy day but 100" + or - is a lot of rain, he should know.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: pseman on October 15, 2008, 02:15:00 PM
Gallon sized zip-loc bag and a rubber band. Slip it over the fletchings and use the rubber band to hold it onto the shafts in your quiver. I also snip the bottom corners of the bag so if any water does get in, it will run out those holes.

Note: This is for protection from the rain, it is not very practical if you plan on removing an arrow from your quiver to shoot.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: snag on October 15, 2008, 06:34:00 PM
Bill, I was going to give them a try this year too.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Scott J. Williams on October 16, 2008, 09:07:00 AM
Scotch Guard, or Dri-tite that is used in fly fishing applications works well.  I most often hunt out of a pop-up when it is raining hard.  Misting will still find me in a treestand.

I use a catquiver when going to or from the stand.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: kbaknife on October 16, 2008, 08:28:00 PM
Yep, the only way I've ever found fool-proof is to use Grey Goose feathers.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Longbowz on October 18, 2008, 01:25:00 AM
Grey Goose as mentioned and turkey feathers are naturally water repellant.  

I've used Bohning Fletch dry and a bread bag inside a fleece cover for quite a few years. It works just fine for me.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Dartwick on October 18, 2008, 07:32:00 AM
I have found that wet feathers shoot just about the same as dry feathers. If they dont you may have bow tune issues.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: Bill Carlsen on October 18, 2008, 08:35:00 AM
There are three things that work for me. In order of least effective.

1...silicone spray

2...Arrowmaster quiver (really a wonderful solution and a great quiver, otherwise).

3...Fletch with gray goose feathers and add a luminok for visibility  after the shot.

I rarely if ever hunt in the rain. I have lost a few too many animals due to washed out blood trails....ever try a grind search in a wet marsh/swamp where  you can sink to your waste in muck?  I also think twice before going out if I know there will be a rain storm the night I plan to  hunt.
Title: Re: keeping feathers dry?
Post by: tippit on October 18, 2008, 08:58:00 AM
I use the condom water proofing technique but only when I get caught in a heavy down pour or wet snow storm.  Couple hints:

1)  Small pin hole in the end of the condom will really seal against the water running down the arrow shaft.  You need to unscrew the broadhead first.

2)  They pull off the feather end very easily and quietly when the shot appears.  Also if you drop it at that time there is no noise.

3)  If of child bearing age, make sure you remember which ones have the pin hole!

4)  They make great camp gifts to unsuspecting hunting buddies by placing them in their dirty clothes bag at the end of the hunt.  Warning: you better make the best of that hunting relationship cause it may not repeat itself   :scared:  
But it is a great return favor especially for partner that put items collected in the field in your sleeping bag or live piglets in your tent at night.  Just trying to give ya'll some party favor ideas in camp  :)   All puns intended...Doc