Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Savate on April 22, 2009, 07:04:50 pm

Title: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: Savate on April 22, 2009, 07:04:50 pm

I wasn't able to harvest a turkey with my bow (no big surprise there) but I did ask my buddies (who are NOT archers) to save me some right-wing feathers from the turkeys they got.  I'm making my rivercane arrows with Cherokee fletching... ;)

So today I get a WHOLE WING from a friend.  Before I just start YANKING feathers off the wing, is there any special way or special prep I need to do to the feathers or wing so I don't ruin or break these feathers?  ???

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: jaybird on April 22, 2009, 08:33:23 pm

I use a pair of side cutters to cut the quill at the bottom of the feather

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: boo on April 22, 2009, 08:36:58 pm

just cut the feathers with a pair of wire cutters if you are going to use the feather for arrows. if you want them whole take a raiser knife to the meat between the feathers and pull them out. 

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: ricktrojanowski on April 22, 2009, 09:50:31 pm

What happened to all the left wings?  I have a home for them .  ;D   I just cut the feathers close to the base with a pair of pruners.

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: Pat B on April 23, 2009, 12:27:24 am

Armondo, as they said above...side cutters are the quickest.

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: billy on April 23, 2009, 10:42:38 am

I do what everyone else does:  I cut the feathers with some wire snippers just where they come outta the skin on the wing.  I NEVER use that far up the quill anyway, and trying to jerk those big feathers out of the wing requires a lot of muscle (and you can damage the feathers if you slip). 

Just cut them, or use a hacksaw to saw thru the quill.  Hell, you could even burn the quill with a very small flame, but that's risky.  Not to mention it would smell up the whole house, so do it outside! 

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: Scowler on April 23, 2009, 11:43:09 am

I just use a heavy pair of scissors.  Just cut the feather off as far into the wing as possible.

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: TRACY on April 23, 2009, 12:26:10 pm

As said before. Get the left wings and tails while you're at it, especially doing 2 fletch with cain. That'll take the pressure off while trying to get one with your bow :D

Tracy

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: PeteC on April 28, 2009, 04:05:32 pm

All I've ever used was a heavy pair of scissors,they cut easy. God Bless

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: mullet on April 28, 2009, 06:48:13 pm

 I just zip down along the meat with a razor knife, but then again, I'm saving the wing bones also.

Title: Re: Pulling turkey feathers off the wing?
Post by: lowell on April 28, 2009, 10:23:36 pm

I have used my band saw but just this year I started chopping them with a hand axe as low as I can figure where they will give me plenty of feather to work with. ;)