Do any of you cover your feathers? Both of my bows carry full quivers with mostly white feathered arrows. To me they stand out like a sore thumb for turkey and deer. So I've been using an old camo mask to cover them. I too the mask off and can't find it, but I had a camo hanky, so I tied that on. It covers well, but restricts getting a second arrow out of my quiver and putting the arrow back in. What do you use as a cover, if at all?
My next arrows will be anything but white.
Nothing move than a full loaded bow quiver when you are in the wood, I am been busted more than a single time before I started to use a cover
Brian-
I have made several fletching covers from cheap fleece (on sale at Walmart, or the fabric store). You don't need much. Its basically a draw string pouch without the bottom stitched in and long/wide enough to slip over the feathers. I leave the bottom unsewn so it won't collect crap in it while I am in the woods. I use really thin elastic string or bungee (1/8" I think) for the draw top. I make the strings long enough for a slight stretch fit up to the base of the quiver. A simple loop tied on each end slips over the ends of the arrow gripper to secure it. I think I have a couple that I used slide locks on.
Just be sure you get two sided fleece and not the stuff that is white on the back side. I use my wife's sewing machine but hand stitching or even fabric glue would work.
OkKeith
A cheap see through camo headnet works well. Run a thin piece of shock cord from the base of the headset to the lower arrow gripper to hole it on. The material is the same kind used for blind windows. Could also make your own with that material. Nice thing about it is the wind blows through it so it's easier to hold on target in a wind, should that situation ever arise.
Shoot mostly bright orange and orange barred 5" 3-fletch. Turkey could be a problem, but I don't get to hunt turkey much. Hogs don't mind and it helps add to the orange I am required to wear on public land hunting hogs. Deer don't seem to mind either.
I bought some water resistant camo cloth at the yardgoods store. Wife made a bag that goes over the fletch. I keep it on with stretch cord. It's big enough that I used to keep it my back quiver or side quiver if I got caught in rain at range as well.
Another bag I have I bought at surplus store. It in made to fit in the side pouches of the Alice pack. It has a rubber lining and is flat green.
Thanks guys. Pretty much nothing more than I'm doing now. I have to find that cheap camo head net I was using. It worked better than the hanky.
I use a camo fleece fletching cover for my Delta type bow quiver. One thing to add to the above posts, I take a piece of plastic weed wacker cord say 16" long. I insert it into the channel that holds the elastic. I use heat srink tubing to hold the ends together and get it to form a ovalish hoop. It holds the the top end of the cover open to make inserting or getting arrows out a little easier.
Exactly the same as M60Gunner, except I did the sewing. Works perfect Keeps them hidden and dry.
That's why I splice my feathers. Small section of white at the tail end combined with barred feathers gives me the visibility of the white going away but doesn't
give me away on stand
Been using fletch covers for years...they are all not the same.
Bob Morrison use to make great ones....then when he quit I sent one to Safari Tuff....not sure if they are making anymore.
9 inches of material and open at the bottom with a wire to hold it open.
I use a hip quiver n not once have I been busted. I did at one time use a bow quiver and I'd prob never use white.
I'd splice feathers and use chartreuse (my eyes see that better than white) on the back section. I could clearly see the arrow flight yet the "color" was less. Truth is w the hip quiver I may use mostly chartreuse, perhaps w a blue stripe or blue inner section and I still never get busted.
Why not buy some like I suggested and run a couple white and a couple the others until you run out of all white.
If they aren't wood or even if they are (slightly tougher) but change the feather color is another option
I shoot florescent Yellow and Green fletching, I made a fletch cover out of Opti-Fade Sub Alpine to match the bow from a torn pair of pants and fleece lined it, with a length of 1/8" shock cord to secure it to the quiver.
Yeah Dave....I use the brightest fletching I can get for numerous, all positive, reasons....
Quote from: Terry Green on May 05, 2019, 08:11:33 PM
Been using fletch covers for years...they are all not the same.
Bob Morrison use to make great ones....then when he quit I sent one to Safari Tuff....not sure if they are making anymore.
9 inches of material and open at the bottom with a wire to hold it open.
Yup, Rod had the best ones. A bendable wire sewn into the top and heavy weedwacker line sewn into the bottom to keep it open. And Terry is correct, he's not making that style anymore. I bought the last two he had around 2010....[attachment=1,msg2867006]
Another pic.....[attachment=1]
I use four fletch on a white wrap with Flo yellow and Flo orange. Several years ago a buddy's wife made us a fleece camo arrow cover. Quite, keeps rain off, and hides arrows well.
i know this is about bow quivers- but i moved away from them, and the reasons above being one of my main concerns- i now use a cat quiver- and for me- its the best system.
for all the bow quiver guys n'gals out there- i do empathize with your situation.
that cover that was made by Rod, looks like the ticket though!
I have a fleece bag like above for fletch cover when needed. When not needed it is fastened to the frame of my GFA style quiver with an extra string for the bow I'm using.
Quote from: Yellow Dog on May 07, 2019, 02:09:31 PM
Another pic.....[attachment=1,msg2867011]
I like that. I think I can make something like it. Thanks.
Quote from: TooManyHobbies on May 08, 2019, 07:31:29 PM
Quote from: Yellow Dog on May 07, 2019, 02:09:31 PM
Another pic.....[attachment=1,msg2867011]
I like that. I think I can make something like it. Thanks.
Yeah....I have at least 3 of these!!!!
Brian, send me your email address and I can send you a bunch of detailed pics along with measurements if you'd like.
Yellowdog, you have mail. Thank you.
Has been 100% Safari Tuff for me since 2014 as I have no desire to change.
I know I'm just a dumb aussie, but I don't see how those hold on without moving up/down. Do you cinch the drawstring tight enough around the shafts to stop it and are there any problems with squashing the feathers down if so?
Mine has a thin bungee type cord that attaches to the quiver. I use a side stalker style or a GFA style side quiver.
I've not had a problem with it crushing the feathers but I use it very little, only when needed during foul weather.
Pat
it was more the nock end I was thinking of i.e. at the bottom. My bow ends up in all kind of weird positions on stalks and while walking through thick brush so it would need to be something pretty secure.
I don't use a bow quiver. With the side quivers I just slide the quiver behind me when moving through tight places.
Quote from: Pat B on May 18, 2019, 10:24:00 PM
I don't use a bow quiver. With the side quivers I just slide the quiver behind me when moving through tight places.
I was talking more about visibility of bright feathers, not maneuverability or protection of the arrows/feathers.
The first time I noticed that feathers/vanes should be covered or dark colors was 20something years ago while hunting with a friend. We went separate ways still hunting and when we came around to each other again, all I saw was a cluster of white that was out of place. I slowly pulled an arrow, placed it on the string and waited for a clear shot. The white spot moved here and there, but I couldn't tell what it was. At the time thinking the white of some part of the deer. My buddy was in total camo, which worked great I guess. lol. Finally I saw him slowly waving at me. But that white of his feathers kept me mesmerized. I figure deer will see it as another deer too, but turkeys see it and know somethings wrong, and gone.
Thanks for the replies.
flyonline,....If you are talking about the fletch cover on the bow quiver....no, they don't slide up and down easy, or at all stalking....
And no, they don't mash your feathers unless you leave them covered for long periods of time.
When I put my bow back in my truck, or get back to camp, I put bottom limb up and pull down the cover.
Don't need to worry about stalking, sounds like you stalk this stuff like I do, and the bow quiver and fletch combo has been my choice for arrow transport for over 20 years.
Thanks Terry, if it's good enough for you it's certainly good enough for me :notworthy:
I've received several requests for details on the fletching cover I posted so I thought I'd just share with you guys by posting.
The bottom has heavy weed whacker line sewn in to keep it open and prevent crunching your feathers.....
[attachment=3,msg2868631]
Turned inside out.....
[attachment=4,msg2868631]
The top has a bendable wire sewn in, similar to craft wire that florists use. You can bend to an oval shape. Makes it easier to remove an arrow when needed.
[attachment=2,msg2868631]
Pics of OAL. I use reflective wraps and it covers them just fine
[attachment=2,msg2868633]
[attachment=3,msg2868633]
I use nothing but Great Northern quivers and the dimensions here work very well. With a quiver that fans out your arrows on the nock end, you'd want to go with a larger diameter bottom opening.....
The last pic was taken with the flash to light the wrap up. Without the flash.....
[attachment=1,msg2868634]
Thanks Yellow Dog. I'll try to turn my camo hanky into that.
Actually, maybe not, your material looks stiffer. I'll find something.
Thanks Yellow Dog! Think I'll give it a try>
Thank you Yellow Dog! :campfire:
It appears to be a type of waterproof saddle cloth. The same stuff his Safari Tuff quivers are built with. Like a waterproof short nap fleece.
Thanks Yellowdog....
Yeah...ll...the material is like buck suede.
I still feel like there may be a better system. I've got an idea I want to mock up and run by you all, hopefully tomorrow.
Here's what you do when you forget your fletch cover....about half of my make-shift fell out dragging this hog out....
[attachment=1]
[attachment=1]
adapt and overcome. :thumbsup:
This is the one I'm using now, I made it from material from a torn pair of Sitka Optifade Sub Alpine pants. It's lined with some lightweight black fleece and has black 1/8" shock cord for fastening it to the quiver. I just run the cord through the holes in the rubber arrow gripper. Never throw away torn camo, you can always find a use for the material.
Quote from: Biathlonman on May 20, 2019, 09:11:44 PM
I still feel like there may be a better system. I've got an idea I want to mock up and run by you all, hopefully tomorrow.
I'm waiting.....
Also, the bottom being open is best for sure.
[attachment=2,msg2869167][attachment=1,msg2869167]
Basically I created this frame with kydex then have attached camo fleece to it with double sided carpet tape. Still having a lot of trouble resizing pictures but working on it.
Quote from: Charlie Lamb on May 21, 2019, 07:12:01 PM
[attachment=1,msg2868872]
adapt and overcome. :thumbsup:
:goldtooth: :goldtooth: :goldtooth:
Based on a couple of those photos it looks a lot easier/simpler to just hang some brush on your bow.
Plus you don't have to worry about forgetting it.
Quote from: blacktailbob on May 24, 2019, 03:46:23 PM
Based on a couple of those photos it looks a lot easier/simpler to just hang some brush on your bow.
Plus you don't have to worry about forgetting it.
Yeah....but Mr Bob...some of us don't have greenery year round like you do!!! :biglaugh:
AND year round skeeters.
Yeah...but you also got year round bikinis!!!