Feather preparation prior to fletching

[sendero25]

Yesterday was Florida's opening day of spring gobbler season, and two of my friends each killed a bird. I removed the feathers from the wings and seperated them into left and right stacks. I have never fletched with raw feathers before and wondered if there is any preparation or cleaning of them I should do before getting them ready for my arrows. Some of the feathers have blood on them and wondered if there is a safe way to clean it without damanging the feather.
Thanks for the help
John

[Pat B]

You could probably clean them in warm water and after they dry, steam them back to shape.   Pat

[herb haines]

wash them with Dawn detergent , this is what i do before i dye feathers .just wash in warm water and rinse , put in old pillow case ( or one that is handy) tie off and toss in dryer --- herb

[Art B]

Make sure to take care of those dust mites. Place them in a sealed container with moth balls or something similar. For quick drying after washing you can place them on the intake side (flat across the grill) of a box fan. ART B

[sendero25]

Pat and Herb, thanks, I washed them in warm water with a little dawn, took the dried blood right out! Art, thanks for the advice, I never thought about mites, great tips, thanks again.
John

[Art B]

I like that pillow case/dyrer idea Herb. You reckon the drier's heat will take care of the dust mites also.-ART B

[IB]

The Dawn should have waxed the MITES, the DRYER should take care of cripples.

I usually Zip Lock and put the feathers in the freezer.....NO SURVIVORS.  

[Art B]

Iron Bull, I was given a grabage bag full of turkey feathers once that were stored in a freezer. Why, I could have screened my doors with the things (laughing). Figured the cold just made 'em that much more hungry  :D . Seriously though, they hadn't bee washed.-ART B

[sendero25]

I washed all of mine today with dawn, if I have to I'll spray them with flea and tick killer before I'm allowed to bring them in the house. Otherwise I may be sleeping in the garage with the dust mites!

[Orion]

The treatments already mentioned probably kill the feather mites.  However, to be absolutely sure to kill them, according to an entomologist friend of mine, freeze them for a day.

[sendero25]

Thanks Jerry,
I'll freeze them just to be sure as soon as they dry, my garage is really uncomfortable. I had better get used to it when I order my new Black Widow longbow next week though! I may spend a lot of time out there, feather mites and all.
John