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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Craig/FL on April 05, 2008, 09:47:00 PM

Title: processing turkey feathers
Post by: Craig/FL on April 05, 2008, 09:47:00 PM
Not sure of the proper terminalogy but I have some primaries off a turkey I recently shot and would like to get them processed to where I could use them in my chopper. Is there anyone that does this?, Is there a minimum amount of feathers required and what would be the expected price to pay if there is such a service available.. as always, thanks, Craig
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: bowless on April 05, 2008, 10:20:00 PM
http://www.bowyersedge.com/feather.html

You might want to check this out.
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: Bucksnort101 on April 05, 2008, 10:49:00 PM
Latest Primitive Archer magazine has an article on doing just this. Have not read it, but the picture seem to show how it is done pretty well.
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on April 05, 2008, 11:17:00 PM
I ground my own turkey feathers many years ago. There is a lot more info out there today. Bowless gave a great site to check out if you want to do yourself. There was someone in Missouri a few years back that did this commercially. I will check for more info.
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: RAU on April 05, 2008, 11:18:00 PM
This place  can set you up. Ive never used them but I think you can have them grind your left or right wing feathers into fletching in trade for the wing you dont use. Ive got a box full of feathers that i plan on sending here sometime.

 www.customfeathers.com (http://www.customfeathers.com)
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: dino on April 06, 2008, 07:52:00 AM
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think David Mitchell sends his feathers to Ravin to be ground.  I don't have Ravin's contact but they have been in the back of TBM.  Don't know the current price. dino
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: Jack Denbow on April 06, 2008, 08:26:00 AM
Raven arrows 208-256-4341.
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: horatio1226 on April 06, 2008, 01:05:00 PM
Timberghost is a member here. Send him your primaries. He will grind and chop them the way you want and send you half of them back and keep half. Right or left whatever you want. Might have to wait a while to get them back
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: Craig/FL on April 06, 2008, 03:17:00 PM
Thanks all for the reply's and PM's. I've got two weeks left to try to get another one, then I'll take it from there, Maybe I'll practice on a few of the secondaries I saved, If that doesnt pan out I'll seek professional help  :)  thanks again, Craig
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: VA Bowbender on April 06, 2008, 07:41:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by bowless:
 http://www.bowyersedge.com/feather.html  

You might want to check this out.
I've been using that jig and method for years upon years.  I was going to do a build along when I made a new jig this spring, now I don't have too.
  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: dosbow56 on April 06, 2008, 07:50:00 PM
After strippin in 1/2, I cut out the best section to about 6", unless it's a long feather and I can get 2 out of it. Take a razor and score along the crease in the quill. I then put the feather in my straight Bitz clamp and sand with a sanding block. Make sure you squeeze the clamp tightly in the mid section. If the feather moves back and forth in the clamp you'll trash it. Concentrate a little more on the thick end, the narrow end goes fast. Put it in your chopper and voila, home ground and chopped fletching. Nuthin is finer!
Dave
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: baretraks on April 06, 2008, 08:50:00 PM
I had this same question a couple of weeks back, got the suggestion of just peeling the feathers off the quill and gluing em on.
It worked great, without the smell. they dont look as good as ground feathers do, but they fly just fine
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: dosbow56 on April 06, 2008, 09:31:00 PM
There ya go........LOL
Title: Re: processing turkey feathers
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on April 06, 2008, 11:04:00 PM
Custom Feathers that RAU posted is the one I was thinking of.