Vanes off the shelf?

[Golden Hawk]

I was just wondering if anybody shoots vanes off the shelf? I was thinking of making up a set of arrows for foul weather hunting. Will they screw up my arrow flight?

[vermonster13]

In most cases yes. There is a company that makes vanes for doing that now, Rain Vanes or something like that. I haven't used them so I couldn't tell you if they work. A bear all weather rest on a bow will do wonders for vanes in the rain.

[philil]

Just fletched a shaft with 2 vanes and one feather where it comes in contact with the riser.
Will let you guys know about flight.

[Golden Hawk]

Think I'll make up a couple and try it. Might come in handy someday.

[NDTerminator]

The 2 vanes/1 feather idea is interesting, it will be interesting to see how it flies.  I suspect there might be some issues due to the weight and wind resistance/guidance differences between them.

Regular vanes off the shelf doesn't work.  I went to a Flipper II just high enough off the shelf to clear the lower vane.  Works like a charm, and I can shoot either vanes or feathered shafts equally well...

[Troy D. Breeding]

I've used vanes with good success. The best for shooting off the shelf that I've found is the Standard Dura Vane. It's soft and seems to do a good job of taking care of arrow flight in wet weather.

[PICKNGRIN]

I saw an article in a past Traditional Bowhunter magazine about this.  If I remember right, the author was able to get good arrow flight by moving his nocking point up.  I am not sure which issue it was in, but it seems like it was in the last year or so.

[the elf]

Yes it works-----if you shoot 3 under and already have a high nocking point---it works-----or for any other application you must raise the nock point-----Regular vanes will work----but maybe the new softer ones will work better----I have not tried them.At hunting ranges I have not noticed any great differences in impact point--at least not enough to stop me from using them.hope this helps.

[Tree man]

It has been done. I've played with them some and they woprk off the shelf after a fashion.... But dare I say that I have gotten better arrow flight with wet feathers with no hassle? Plastics are great, but not as arrow guidance systems.

[mbbushman]

I shoot some two fletch arrows, and when spined right there is no fletch contact on the shelf. Vanes or feathers work the same. I plan to carry one or two arrows with vanes in my quiver this season in case of inclement weather.

[ishiwannabe]

3 rivers is carrying the rain vanes. They "break in" after a few shots according to their catalog.

[Golden Hawk]

I have some sample vanes coming. we'll see what they do and I'll let you all know what happens. Thanks for all the replies and input.

[The Gray Fox]

Being cheap and occasionally in the carbon shaft mood, I usually haunt Walmart before the end of bow season when they clear stuff out and pick up Carbon Express with 4" vanes, right hand offset.  Last time, before stripping off the vanes (a real pain, by the way) I tried them on most of my bows.  I found that by shooting cock feather in they shot fine with 175 grain field points, with no moving of nock point.  I also found that 4" vanes shoot a 175 grain point/long insert combo just fine.  Might work for you, too.