Fletching Water Proofing Question

[Greg Szalewski]

I will be heading to AK this fall and dealing with wet feathers is a given. I have used the powder but read some where that tire spray works too. I have tried that but didn't think that worked all that well but maybe there is a better brand to use. What would you reconmend?

[onewhohasfun]

No-snow from whisker biscuit works pretty well. Your best bet would be to get some natural barred turkey feathers from Magnus.

[Stickbow]

I have used no-snow and did not care for the smell.

[Gator1]

I have used a bohning product, that was in a bottle with a small brush.  I believe it is the same type as a fly fishing dry fly dressing. Took a bit to apply, but seemed to work really well.

Fletch cover might also be a good back up for keeping feathers dry.

[Kevin Dill]

Greg...

I use No Snow and think it's about as good as it gets. The smell is noticeable for a few days, so apply it a week or so before departing. I'd suggest you pick up one of the thin nylon fletching covers (bonnets) that are from GFA or 3 Rivers. I carry one of these in my pack just in case I get caught out in a hard rain.

If you really want the ultimate dry fletch, you can't beat those plastic baby bottle liners. Slide one over your fletching and put a small rubber band around the opening. Yank it off the arrow before nocking.

[Bob Gulliksen]

Unscented hair spray

[Pete McMiller]

Greg,

I have used the powder for years with no complaints.  Now it's the powder on natural turkey feathers.  In addition I carry the Safari Tuff side quiver with a hood attached.  For my moose hunt the historical forecast for Newfoundland in October is 62% of rain on a daily basis and I feel confident that my setup will work fine.

[eflanders]

Greg,

Stop at the Flyfishers store off of Greenfield Avenue and get some dry fly dope from Pat.  It seems to work better than most things designated for archery.  No smell and not much fuss.  Using natural fletches from a goose or turkey will also help as well as having a fletch cover.  Personally I use an Elite side quiver that already covers my fletchings and it is also rigid so as to protect the shafts when shipping / transporting the arrows.

[Brock]

I have used Fletch-Pruf and Feather Dry....work great...easy to apply....no apparent impact to arrow flight at all.

  http://search.3riversarchery.com/nav/cat1/arrowsshafting/cat2/arrowsshafting_arrowtoolsaccessories/cat3/arrowsshafting_arrowtoolsaccessories_featherwaterproofing/0


 http://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Feather-Pruf-25oz/dp/B003WHFW92

[Greg Szalewski]

thanks for the replies. Time to do some shopping.

[Bjorn]

Best of luck on this hunt Greg! Bring your camera!  

[knobby]

Same product that Gator1 suggested; Dri-Tite by Bohning.
  Years ago Steve Gorr recommended fletching with two plastic vanes and one feather. Obviously the real feather would be the bottom hen feather on a 3 fletched arrow. Since you're shooting carbons, you could rotate the plastic vanes away from contacting the shelf/side plate.
  Good luck on your hunt!

[The Gopher]

what about camp-dry, the stuff used to waterproof tents and things. I've heard that it smells a bit but goes away, haven't tried it yet myself.

[ShadeMt]

I have used a product called Tire Wet by Black Magic.  It is pretty inexpensive and I have coated several dozen arrows with only half the bottle.  I spray it on 2 weeks before season and it is has held up well through some torrential rains and wet underbrush.

[Kamm1004]

Now I've never tried this and it sounds ridiculous but I've heard of people pulling condoms down over the arrow tip, over the shaft, until it covers the fletching. Its obviously waterproof lol and when the moment of truth comes and you need to use the arrow you just pull it off over the fletching and use the arrow like normal. I know, I know, it sounds ridiculous and will look even worse, but it might just work. Also it'd have to be on a bowquiver with the fletching facing downwards.I'm pretty sure I saw someone recommend this before on here too.

[Knawbone]

Condom?  Expensive way to keep the top of your shaft dry!              

[Knawbone]

I'm sorry, I should have worded that " top of your arrow dry "   My bad

[Slickhead]

If I see a guy in the woods with condoms on his arrows, Im waiting for banjo music
Then Im running

To re-think I may not wait for the banjo  

[Lethalflight57]

Get some Camp Dri spray from Walmart.  Either Kiwi brand or the brand with the orange cap (the name escapes me at the moment but I use it on all my feather fletchings).  Spray it, work some in with thumb and forefinger with the grain of the feather and let dry.  

Works very well in all but prolonged or heavy wet weather conditions.  When faced with that a treated fletching cover or plastic bag used when allowable is double protection.

When dry no detectable odor from the silicone that is an ingredient and game doesn't seem to notice any odor either. I manage to shoot a few deer each season even after refreshing my fletchings every 2-3 weeks.

[Kamm1004]

Originally posted by Slickhead:
If I see a guy in the woods with condoms on his arrows, Im waiting for banjo music
Then Im running

To re-think I may not wait for the banjo    

HAHAHA! I know right! There is a reason I haven't tried it but hey, it may just work!