How to recycle a turkey

[Rancid Crabtree]

I use the feathers from the birds we harvest to make my own arrow fletchings. I make the c0ck feathers from the wings of turkeys that I harvest.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/newcedars991.jpg

I like to use whole uncut white feathers for the two hen feathers and a homemade c0ck feather. I found 7 good looking specimens (one is a spare)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/newcedars992.jpg

Next I split them to get rid of the side that I won’t need.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/newcedars993.jpg

Then I find the best section in the middle of the length and cut off the ends. These are longer than I need but I will trim them later

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/newcedars994.jpg

Because the split base is way to thick I need to thin them down.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/newcedars995.jpg

I use a belt sander with a fine grit belt because the bases are pretty soft. I finish them with a sanding block

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/newcedars997.jpg

The thined feather is a lot less beefy.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/newcedars999.jpg

Next I cut them to their finished length.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/newcedars9991.jpg

After fletching, I use a feather burner to give them their shape.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/newcedars9994.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/newcedars9996.jpg

[Bowfly]

:eek: very cool thats the first time I have seen that done!!
Can you show us how the feather burner works in action.
Thanks
Rod

[Rancid Crabtree]

Next time I make a set, I will. The process is to place the arrow in the two metal supports and slowly spin the arrow so the feathers pass over the red hot wire which cuts to the shape of the wire. I is very smelly when burning feathers..

[Clemo]

That is awesome.:cool:
I wish I had the patience to do stuff like that.