HELP!!!!!

[Tyler2045]

Can you bleach then redye Goose feathers for fletching? I am now the proud owner of over 30 pairs of wings with more to come but they are all dark colors. Can I change that?

[The Whittler]

One way to find out. Take one and try it. Sorry I can't help.

[Hot Hap]

Shoot some Snow Geese. Hap

[Tyler2045]

The prim and secondaries are black on snows.
Most of what I got are snows and blues

[magnus]

Bleach will break down the feather.

[Jack Guard]

Definately Dont bleach.  It will detach the barbules, the little fingers that merry the barb's together.  

One of the best methods for bleaching is described in A.K. Best book "Dyeing and Bleaching Natural Fly Tying Materials".  Its a bit involved.

[Mike Most]

You might try trading for turkey feathers here and there,

[straitera]

Nothing wrong w/dark fletch. Looks natural.

[tecum-tha]

Did you get Canada geese wings! Don't use any chemicals, these feathers are the most waterproof fletching there is. Just cut your fletching within the visible oil line and you're good to go. For visibility purposes:
1.) use white fur tracers like 3 rivers sells them.
2.) white nock
3.) white cap dip

[Molson]

Use them like they are.  If you want more visibility try a flo green nock, or splice in some chartreuse at the rear, or use a bright fur tracer.

[Tyler2045]

I did get two sets of Canadian Goose wings. The Blues and Snows primaries oil line only goes up 1/4 to 1/2 inch. And about the same on the secondaries.

[Rob DiStefano]

bleach, never.

anything you do to 'color' a feather will kill the natural feather oils.  leave 'em be and enjoy the benefits of natural feather waterproofing.  

typically, water fowl have more oil than land birds.  natural goose feather fletches are perfect for hunting, and canada geese feathers are free for the taking during the moult over a wide area of the usa and canada ...

woodie or carbon ...
 

5 minute running water test - processed turkey and natural canada goose ...
 

add faux fur tracers for better in-flight visibility ...
 

[Tyler2045]

Rob how to the banana cut feathers fly?

[wingnut]

Dang I'd love to get some goose feathers again.  They are some of the best hunting fletch I've ever used.  Leave me grey and make your arrow bright if you want.

Mike

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Tyler2045:
Rob how to the banana cut feathers fly?

excellent stability, probably the most quiet of all fletch shapes due to aerodynamics.