Got some turkey feathers!! Now what?

[bowhunter15]

I got him with a shotgun      but I'm using the wing feathers to make fletchings for my traditional arrows. Here's what I've done:

1) Separate left and right wing.
2) Separate first 6 primaries, next 3 primaries (softer), and secondary feathers
3) Split the first 6 primaries

I figured I'll use the first 6 stiff primary feathers for fletching on my GT carbon traditionals. Then I could use the softer primaries and secondary feathers for flu-flu fletching some cheaper arrows like port oxford cedar. Then I can use those for stumping, small game, birds, etc.

But for putting the primaries on my carbons... What should I do next? I imagine I should split each primary in half, then put them in a clamp and grind the bottom and sides of the quill to get a consistent edge? And for cutting? Is there a particular shape of cut that works best for wild turkey feathers? The 4" parabolic Tru-Flight feathers look and fly nice on the arrows as is. But I see lots of turkey fletching vids on Youtube where they just leave the feathers uncut. Is it more of an aesthetic thing?    

 

[macbow]

Yes it is more aesthetic thing.
Primitive style arrow just look better with the fuller fletching.

No reason not to make them like your others.
Do you have a fletcher.
Some folks peel the feather from the quill, I prefer to split the quill length wise with a knife or razor knife. Cut to close length.
Put in fletching clamp, a extra straight one works great.

Then I use a belt sander to sand to thickness on quill also coarse sandpaper on a table will work.

Then the sides can be trimmed with a good scissors.
Next a,chopper or template to trim to shape.
To make them go farther copy current fletching for size and only use for cock feather.

[macbow]

Nice Bird too.

[eckterling]

You have the right idea. Split the quill in half with a knife then if you are thinking 4" feathers cut the primary feather into two 4.5"-5" sections. If you have a belt sander put one of those sections in a fletching clamp and grind the base flat and the side of the feather thinner like they do in a lot of videos. From there most of the people who do not cut the feather before gluing it onto a shaft have a feather burner. They glue them on uncut then use the feather burner to burn them to shape. If you are used to using 4" Parabolic I would just chop them to shape. You should be able to get a dozen feathers out of those big six primaries.

Like I said it sounds like you have a good idea what to do. I would try sanding the softer feathers first in case you mess up the first time trying it. That way you still have the nice thick primaries looking good.

Also, if you ever want to make stump shooting arrows or just decorative arrows, you can grind the secondary feathers as well.


Good Luck!

Josh

[Overspined]

I don't mess with cutting and sanding turkey feathers, only goose.  Goose doesn't strip. I've been stripping turkey feathers for years and using the dreaded fletch tape, and glue the front and back. Because the quill is gone, the fletch tape doesn't fail. I've never had it fail since about 2006. It remains stiff when glued and I wouldn't do it any other way.  I use only natural for all three when I strip them and I don't mix them with store bought.  Also, there is no quill to hit anything, very flat to the arrow.  I just trim quickly with scissors.

[hitman]

When you grind the feathers use some kind of respitator, the dust will really give you health issues.

[bowhunter15]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'll post a pic when my first arrow is done.

I'm no help on feather processing, but congrats on your bird!

Bisch

[bowhunter15]

Here's the fist one I made. I tried the basic route by cutting the shape with scissors until it more or less matched my store bought 4" parabolic, trimmed the quill down and sanded until the tip started to curl just like the store bought ones. Then I put them in the jig and glued them on... 4 fletch 90-90.

[eckterling]

Looks good for cutting them with scissors!


Josh