Why we use feathers

[the rifleman]

ive been playing around with a new arrow for my set up.  I pull around 38 pounds realistically.  I was shooting a beman mfx 600 w 200 grs up front at 482 (13gpp).  My new arrow is a heritage 75 w 125 grs up front at 416 (10.94 gpp)---what a difference in trajectory!  
Anyway I've been bareshafting one heritage 75 shaft for about three weeks as I shoot other arrows.  Most of my shots indicate weak, but I've had inconsistent results at times which I know are form issues and have lead me to change from 3 under to two under.  Still unless I do everything just right that bareshaft tells it on the target.  With most of the shots showing slightly weak i fletched that arrow and am amazed how well it flies where I look.  I've experienced this before when tuning and each time it makes me appreciate feathers!  I always make sure as a final step that my broadheads will shoot w field points.  Ken Beck said it best-- keep a bareshaft in your quiver as your coach.  but I'm sure glad to feathers to hide my flaws.

I use feathers because I am not good enough to not use feathers!              

Bisch

[Sam McMichael]

I shoot Hill style bows and was always taught that arrows need to be just a bit weak. Then with feathers attached, they stiffen a little and give good arrow flight. That has been true for me for many years. All of us need the help of fletching, because nobody's release is consistently smooth enough not to need the help it gives.

[JamesV]

A Bear weather rest with vanes or feathers off the shelf fly good for me.

James

[kenneth butler]

I can't even use the little feathers like in my compound days, Blazers, or that Olympic archers use.Well I can but will always have a couple of arrows with a mind of their own about where they want to go.I am  seeing some pleasing results with 2 at 180° though.Any one else experimenting with 2 fletch?
    Ken

[OregonTom]

Hi Ken Butler.  I've used the Eastern Woodland fletch style( a 180 2 fletch)  a lot with fine results.  I use rooster (chicken) wing/flight feathers when I build an Eastern Woodland fletched arrow.

[kenneth butler]

Hi Tom, that is an old Indian style with a large feather right? Very cool looking for self bows. I like a 2 fletch for bow clearance, the way they store, and lay in a quiver.I was working toward a production style feather. Going from 5" to 4" there is a little gain but going to 2 fletch wouldn't gain any more if they have to be bigger. Regardless of any gain in flight though, I like them. Why in the world I have never tried chicken feathers is beyond me. I use goose and turkey.I must just want something hard to get. LOL  Thanks Ken

[OregonTom]

I've seen drawings of the Eastern Woodland fletch with tall feathers and a short chopped profile,  both look to be about 4inches long maybe.  Hard to tell from a drawing.  I've built arrows leaving the feathers tall,  1 inch maybe a little taller.  They have flown great but were very noisy and had a flu flu type effect past 40 yards.  Cutting them down to a half inch made for a normal sounding,  fast, flat flying arrow.   I imagine the decision for  tall or short feather height depends on how much stabilization the arrow needs.  

   Thoughts on rooster feathers...    Although the rooster feathers make a great fletch they are not as durable as turkey feathers.  Plus side is that they are free if you raise poultry.  Also I have noticed that the feral roosters that actually fly produce a much stronger flight feather than a lazy barnyard bird.  I wish I had some wood shafts,  I'm in the mood to make a bunch of two fletch rooster arras !