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Chicken Feather Fletchings??

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Cacatch:
Like Jackcrafty said. Use what ya got. Chicken feathers will work, just don't get them wet if you can help it. Also, if you are using wing primaries, you will have to work with the curves of them. I wouldn't hesistate to use chicken feathers if that's what I had available. Smaller feathers than chicken have been used with very good success.

CP

JW_Halverson:
I've seen mallard secondaries used...the ones with the iridescent blue across them! Sweeeeeeet looking fletching.  Waterfowl season is coming up, got any duck hunting guides in the area that might save wings for you? 

To help you determine the primaries from secondaries, imagine the wing as your arm.  The primaries are out on the "finger" section, secondaries are on the forearm and upper arm.  Primaries work better because they are stiffer, but secondaries work fine, too.  Just leave a bit more height to the feather when you trim them up.

And don't forget tail feathers, ducks, geese, and other game birds often have good fletching on BOTH sides of the quill.

JackCrafty:
Hmmm...careful.  Not all feathers are legal for fletching.  All the feathers I use come from domesticated birds.

JW_Halverson:
I've checked with both the staties and the feds on the subject, legally harvested game animal feathers are perfectly legal in all 50 states. 

I went further and asked if non-native species raptor feathers would be legal.  Of course I got a bad case of "fish eye" from both, but when pressed, they both said it was legal.  Now the problem I got is that the African auger buzzard feathers are indredibly close to their American cousin, the redtailled hawk.  The wing feathers of the African King vulture are also virtually identical to black vultures and turkey vultures.  So....I sure as Aitch  Eee Double Hockey sticks ain't gonna use them!  Cuz once they look at you with that fish eye, they are gonna keep looking.  And who needs that?  I'll stick with the legally harvested game animal feathers with a few purchased turkey feathers from Custom Feather. 

lowell:
Jeremiah, 

  I would use what ever I had.....but if you would like some secondary turkey and maybe a few primary..I'd be glad to send you some.  I like turkey!! ;D..... and would be glad to have you try some!! ;)

  Let me know and an address if you want some!!. ....and if you prefer left or right!!      Lowell

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