The moult is on ...

[Rob DiStefano]

... at least here in the Nor'East.

Canada Goose feathers, best waterproof fletching and free for the taking.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I pick up some last year I got the idea from you years ago.

[Roy from Pa]

Very nice, Rob.

[RIVERWOLF]

Have a question or three ....

I realize they are likely a little louder due to the stiffness of the primary feathers. I was wondering if any of you have tried the secondaries to see/test the differences in flight/sound ?

 I honestly haven't tried them yet, but going by the noise when handling them I would "think" they would be little more noisy with the goose compaired to turkey . I was also "thinking" on doing some testing to see if steaming before usage might help with this ....Just a thought ...

Hell, if it weren't for roosting flight/and friut tree feast  turkeys would already be sporting ostrich plumage .........;^))

[RIVERWOLF]

Years ago I was comparing known data and have also observerd over the years afield that owl feathers(I know =don't keep or use these EVER !)  but the observation reveals that owl feathers are not only the quietest (when handled), but also the softest with very rough looking edges..

That is why my favorite  turkey fletched arrows are the aged ones that have taken a beating on target  bales or roving..  Notciably quieter/softer. Edges start resembling that of owls . Kinda how your fletching gets on a arrow that has done a passthrough and takes a good soap bath before being put back in the quiver lineup This is my reasoning with Goose feathers and the thought of somehow softening them ...a little ...via steaming or a good soap bath .  The soap bath would likely remove much of the natural oil, but steaming ?   

[Rob DiStefano]

I use both primary & secondary Canada Goose feathers, and lotsa times these are mixed on the same shaft.  For me, the only possible draw back is the feather color, but that quickly becomes a non-issue as compared to the waterproof quality of any stout waterfowl.

After about 10 minutes of being swished around in a bucket of water, which fletch would you wanna hunt with in the rain ...

 

As to the noise factor between the two, I've not noticed a difference with the two feather types whence shafts are fletched specifically with both types.

Sharp eared game can hear an arrow release pretty much as the fingers release the bowstring.  At shorter release distances, say 15 yard or so, the POI is more so in the bowhunter's favor of a good hit (well, of course, if the arrow flight is good and true to begin with).

Lotta other noise factors to consider, such as the bowstring material and strand count, arrow rest and shelf, shelf degree cut to center, and the shooting form of the bowhunter.

I'm using a 4" feather that's cut rather high and has a slight swallow tail, with a helical fletch.  Almost all pointed tail fletchings are almost always the culprit for noise, usually that buzzy bee sound. 

In the past my hunting arrows were 3 or 4 fletched with a low 5" banana shape.  As always, if bare shafts fly well, less fletching is required ... BUT ... for a hunting arrow I'd want as much arrow steerage as possible and would go with a 5-1/2" high fletch banana shape, fletched with as much helical as possible.  For me, banana shapes are the quietest and I avoid any kind of fletching swallow or pointed tail ("shield" shape).


 

[SS Snuffer]

Thanks Rob,I read everything you write. You know your stuff. Thanks

[RIVERWOLF]

Good stuff Mr. Rob , as per usual

..Cost of turkey feathers/fletching (like everything else) has gotten out of hand. Bad is most Every poultry farm  clips wing feathers ....  Others utilize the feathers for other products from insulation-fill-to animal food additives . 

I've seen yrs back when someone filmed some flight sound testing of different fletching materials and set positions/helical , then tested noise levels ...It's always fun seeing that type stuff , though hardly needed . 

I'm far from a over thinker on this..I have a basic setup with my 3 bitz med helical all set the same. Been like that for yrs.

Tried many styles and from straight to radical helical . Tried mini fletch-4"-5" 5.5" in a lot of styles myself . I've done pretty good with a basic setup of 3x5" shields med helical . I also agree that 5" and  5.5" aren't NEEDED with a properly tuned rig, but I also like the little extre insurance ... quicker self correction  with the larger fletching .

It's like everything else...always going to have the positive and negitive effects to weigh .... 

[Jack Denbow]

Here are some I made for a PBS Gathering.

[Rob DiStefano]

Here are some I made for a PBS Gathering.

BEAUTIES!!   

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Here are some I made for a PBS Gathering.

Stunning 

[Duker]

Rob ::: Some great info    Thanks for sharing