Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: richpierce on November 19, 2007, 04:57:15 pm

Title: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: richpierce on November 19, 2007, 04:57:15 pm

I had the good fortune to be successful duck hunting and kept the 1st 3 or 4 primary wing feathers from our ducks.  The ducks were medium sized (spoonbills) and a bit larger (widgeon).  I am not sure the feathers are stiff enough- anybody have experience using duck feathers for fletching?

Title: Re: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: Hillbilly on November 19, 2007, 05:14:18 pm

They should work. Duck feathers work great for Eastern Woodlands-style two-feather fletching, but I've used mallard primaries for "normal" fletching, and they work fine-just not quite as durable as turkey or goose..

Title: Re: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: Coo-wah-chobee on November 19, 2007, 05:34:47 pm

 ..........................Like Hillbilly said.....bob

Title: Re: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: adb on November 20, 2007, 10:47:32 am

Hi,
I've used all sorts of feathers for fletching... duck, goose (my favorite), pheasant, grouse, owl (road kill), and turkey, of course. They have all worked fine. With the smaller birds, you only get a few primaries big enough to use. Sometimes they're a bit light, and don't last, but they sure look nice. Actually, the pheasant looked the best, because they're naturally barred grey & white.

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Title: Re: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: billy on November 20, 2007, 02:07:41 pm

duck feathers should work just fine. 

Title: Re: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: Brokestick on November 21, 2007, 11:21:32 pm

I would avoid the Owl feathers in the future.  Game wardens don't care how you got them.  See the other feathers thread on this board for the discussion on buzzard feathers.

Title: Re: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: adb on November 22, 2007, 11:24:30 am

Owl feathers are fine, as long as you contact the local game warden and they verify that it is, in fact, a road kill. Then, they issue you a permit of possession. I live in Canada. Might be different in the US, however. Raptors are strictly protected here, and the authorities do not have any sense of humor with illegally obtained birds of prey. If you abide by the rules, it's OK here.
In my opinion, the pheasant primaries are the best... easy to obtain, nice colors, and fairly durable.

Title: Re: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: DanaM on November 22, 2007, 11:58:15 am

Owls are federally protected, they are off limits in the US

Title: Re: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: Hillbilly on November 22, 2007, 03:31:25 pm

Plus they are really soft, not the best fletching material anyway.

Title: Re: Duck feathers for fletching?
Post by: Brokestick on November 26, 2007, 01:06:38 am

Probably make awsome flu-flus though.