Goose feather fletchings...why or why not?

[Briar Friar]

I recently read Thomas Pyles original Robin Hood stories...all the stories talk about is grey goose fletchings (and yard long shafts).

I also recently read Agincourt by Richard Cornwell...about when the English defeated the French...an archer was the main character...and all they talked about was grey goose feathers. Protecting the bow seemed more of concern than protecting feathers.

I reckon in both instances English archers did not have turkey feathers bc no turkeys in the old world...only the new world.

Ive searched on the GS and it seems very few guys shoot goose feathers. It makes sense to eliminate the need for wet weather and wet fletchings concern using goose feathers since theyre aquatic critters. I do recognize nothing is water proof...only water resistant.

I put in a call to my Texas goose hunting buddies for some left and right wing primary goose feathers...please correct me if I should request feathers from a different part of the wing.

What difficulties should I expect with goose feathers? Why arent they an industry standard as opposed to turkey if wet feathers laying down is a major concern? Supply shouldnt be an issue since most of N. America is swoll up with geese.

[DRT]

I've seen this discussion before. The natural oils in them make for good waterproofing. If you have access to them use em.

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[Phillip Fields]

Goose feathers are not as durable as Turkey feathers. They lose their waterproof fairly quickly as the natural oils dissipate. As you noted, Turkeys are a new world bird and were not available to the English.

[LeanMachine]

Ya know what are super waterproof? AAE Trad Vanes Only way to go unless you just want the trad look. I will never go back to feathers of any kind. Quieter, more durable, and cheaper (if you're buying feathers). Yes you can shoot them off the shelf.

[DRT]

Ya know what are super waterproof? AAE Trad Vanes Only way to go unless you just want the trad look. I will never go back to feathers of any kind. Quieter, more durable, and cheaper (if you're buying feathers). Yes you can shoot them off the shelf.

You are the only one I've seen say they are more durable.

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[LeanMachine]

You are the only one I've seen say they are more durable.

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Really?! I have run 3x5" and 4x4". I have shot them quite a dang bit. I shoot about 100 arrows most evenings. What kind of durability complaints have you seen?

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[DRT]

Mostly tears by multiple arrows in groups while feathers just settle back.
For me it's an aesthetics thing.
Like wood grain carbon arrows.
I'm just "vane" that way.[emoji1787][emoji23][emoji1787]

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[3ChordTruth]

Go for it, fletch up some goose feathers and shoot them and see what you think. I also got my goose hunting buddies to save me some wings. The primary goose feathers I got from them were smaller than my turkey feathers, but still big enough to work just fine. Good luck with it, and let us know how it goes.

[Briar Friar]

Goose feathers are not as durable as Turkey feathers. They lose their waterproof fairly quickly as the natural oils dissipate. As you noted, Turkeys are a new world bird and were not available to the English.

Thanks Mr Fields. I was wondering if durability was the major dislike for goose. I didnt consider the oils...and oils dissipating...I thought maybe goose had more of a structural advantage and disposition for water repellancy.

DRT...your vane-ity is funny! I didnt realize durability was an issue for AAE vanes.

Thanks 3chord.

LeanMachine...thanks for the suggestion. Ill be acquiring some AAE vanes in the future. I just chopped my first turkey feathers two nights ago and during that fletching session whilst waiting for the glue to dry, I got to wondering about goose feathers while forecasting how I was gonna water”proof”ish the turkey feathers.

Scotchguard seems to be proven route.

[LeanMachine]

Mostly tears by multiple arrows in groups while feathers just settle back.
For me it's an aesthetics thing.
Like wood grain carbon arrows.
I'm just "vane" that way.[emoji1787][emoji23][emoji1787]

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That makes sense I guess. That can be mitigated almost completely by shooting field points that are less pointy. If my arrows are grouping so tight that I am damaging fletching, I can't say i'm mad about it.

[DRT]

I hear ya.
I had the thought about trying them. But I'm not a rainy day hunter for the most part. I hate blood trailing in that weather.

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[Jon Stewart]

I use goose feathers as the cock feather with my turkey feathers here in Michigan where we get a bit of rain. They seem to hold up as well as the turkey feathers. The turkey /goose fletching combo looks good also.

[3ChordTruth]

Now why didn’t I think of that Jon Stewart? I need to fletch up some combo goose/turkey arrows, really think they will look cool too, thanks!

[4dog]

not changing subject..but ive used sandhill crane feathers too ..they were usable

[Jon Stewart]

Sandhill feathers would look great. BUT they are protected here in Michigan.

As far as goose feathers lasting goes they seem to hold up well even during practice times. But when hunting I look at an arrow like a bullet and don't expect to get it back in usable condition.