keeping feathers dry?

[BobW]

Originally posted by Gitnadoix:


Also and dont laugh but ya can buy condoms the ones with the little tips, cut off the tips and take off the broad heads, then just slide them onto the arrows point end into them so that they hang over the feathers.  makes em 100% water proof and they pull off over the feathers easy as 1-2-shoot......but you do get some real strange looks from every one ya meet.....

and you go try to explain to your wife that you are buying a box of condoms - for hunting.    

[Hot Hap]

I'm with trapperdave on the baby bottle liners. Pull them over the nock end and poke the nock through the bottom of the liner. Shoot as is. Liner will come off and lay at your feet. No noise. Pick up liner. Hap

[Roy from Pa]

I'd wear a mask if I had to walk into a pharmacy and order the little condoms:)

[Steve H.]

Snag, meaning as in never again!  BM is a slimy MESS!

I have tried "it all".  I hunt in the rainy months in areas with 60-120" of rain per year and found what really works.  Who ya' goina trust!

[Chad Sivertsen]

I live in NW Montana and it can get wet here in late fall and through the winter. I enjoy hunting in a light to moderate rain. I've got a couple of the feather dry powders but have never used them. With a bow quiver I use a waterproof camo cover that goes over the feathers and works well but water can run down the shaft in a heavy rain.

Most times these days I shoot selfbows or bamboo backed and prefer to shoot them without a bow quiver so for a few years now I've been using a Lakota style quiver that covers everything but the nocks.  I like and it works well for me.

If you want to waterproof the feathers I would take Steve's advise. I love a rainy day but 100" + or - is a lot of rain, he should know.

[pseman]

Gallon sized zip-loc bag and a rubber band. Slip it over the fletchings and use the rubber band to hold it onto the shafts in your quiver. I also snip the bottom corners of the bag so if any water does get in, it will run out those holes.

Note: This is for protection from the rain, it is not very practical if you plan on removing an arrow from your quiver to shoot.

[snag]

Bill, I was going to give them a try this year too.

[Scott J. Williams]

Scotch Guard, or Dri-tite that is used in fly fishing applications works well.  I most often hunt out of a pop-up when it is raining hard.  Misting will still find me in a treestand.

I use a catquiver when going to or from the stand.

[kbaknife]

Yep, the only way I've ever found fool-proof is to use Grey Goose feathers.

[Longbowz]

Grey Goose as mentioned and turkey feathers are naturally water repellant.  

I've used Bohning Fletch dry and a bread bag inside a fleece cover for quite a few years. It works just fine for me.

[Dartwick]

I have found that wet feathers shoot just about the same as dry feathers. If they dont you may have bow tune issues.

[Bill Carlsen]

There are three things that work for me. In order of least effective.

1...silicone spray

2...Arrowmaster quiver (really a wonderful solution and a great quiver, otherwise).

3...Fletch with gray goose feathers and add a luminok for visibility  after the shot.

I rarely if ever hunt in the rain. I have lost a few too many animals due to washed out blood trails....ever try a grind search in a wet marsh/swamp where  you can sink to your waste in muck?  I also think twice before going out if I know there will be a rain storm the night I plan to  hunt.

[tippit]

I use the condom water proofing technique but only when I get caught in a heavy down pour or wet snow storm.  Couple hints:

1)  Small pin hole in the end of the condom will really seal against the water running down the arrow shaft.  You need to unscrew the broadhead first.

2)  They pull off the feather end very easily and quietly when the shot appears.  Also if you drop it at that time there is no noise.

3)  If of child bearing age, make sure you remember which ones have the pin hole!

4)  They make great camp gifts to unsuspecting hunting buddies by placing them in their dirty clothes bag at the end of the hunt.  Warning: you better make the best of that hunting relationship cause it may not repeat itself    
But it is a great return favor especially for partner that put items collected in the field in your sleeping bag or live piglets in your tent at night.  Just trying to give ya'll some party favor ideas in camp     All puns intended...Doc