So I know there have been alot of topics about feathers, Natural , Goose, turkey and Synthetic.  Assuming that "synthetic" are the ones that come from Truflight or Gateway, what are they made of? or where do they come from?  I was once told that they were just Regular turkey feathers and they were DYED.. Whats the real story?

that's what I heard. I think it says on their web site(s) that they are natural turkey feathers that are dyed. There are "how to's" on dyeing feathers on here too so that's probably it.

Both those companies sell real feathers, typically dyed to color.
Natural - probably refers to a natural color
Goose - feather from a goose
Turkey - feather from a turkey
Synthetic - not a real feather

Guy

Never heard of synthetic feathers, unless it refers to vanes. Did I miss something, again?

Is there a synthetic feather? Like Don, I feel like I might be out of the loop here. I wouldn't want to buy some accidentally. Scared me for a minute that I may not have been shooting "real" feathers all these years.      :rolleyes:

There are synthetic feathers but I am not aware of any made for arrow fletching that look like real feathers. Vanes are patented as synthetic feathers but aren't the same as a synthetic feather such as used in crafts and flytying.

What type of synthetic feathers do they use for Flytying?

The ones from trueflight, gateway, etc. are dyed goose feathers

duster feathers

I have heard some people refer to REAL as Wild Turkey.  Also Natural Barred is also a Wild Turkey, but some farm raised can have barred feathers.

Buckeye Trad Hunter, where did you hear that? Gateway and Trueflight are turkey feathers.

Wait a minute. Trueflight and Gateway are not goose feathers. they are dyed turkey feathers.(nut)

WOW GLAD I STARTED THIS POST! I would really like to get the real answer to this.  either way, Gateway or truflight. I like them Sometimes I get a weak floppy bunch either way , Maybe i'll drop them a line.

They both state that they use farm raised turkey feathers on their sites.

Where can we get goose feathers? I want waterproof feathers

that wasnt off topic...   :rolleyes:

From a goose

Pen raised turkeys like you buy from the grocery store during Thanksgiving and deep fry(MMMM,MMMM,MM)are white and are raised in turkey "barns" by the thousands. Could'nt imagine a better source of commercially available feathers. Anybody raisin geese this way? It would take thousands upon thousands. In the south goose isnt a commercial food product, turkey and dressing is served everywhere, just like chickens.

A bit of trivia- the reason that there are more left wing feathers available for the suppliers is that when the wings are clipped to keep the turkeys in the pen, most of the people doing the clipping are right handed, and they grip the turkey so that the clipping is done on the left wing. They only clip one side.