How to preserve your feathers?

[ajbruggink]

Hey guys,

I shot a turkey last Saturday, and I want to use the wing and tail feathers for fletching. How do I keep the bugs off of them for as long as possible? I was originally going to preserve my tail fan, but then I didn't put borax on the fleshy part that the tail feathers are naturally attached to, nor did I put the tail fan in the freezer to stop that fleshy part from rotting and attracting flies, that laid their eggs, which hatched into maggots. It was stupid of me. I endeavor not to make that mistake again. I pulled the tail feathers out of that fleshy 'knob'. I didn't notice any maggots eating the feathers yet, so I put them in a garbage bag with my wing feathers and put them in the freezer for the time being. What would you do with the feathers if you were me? Do I need to do anything special to them before I put them on an arrow? Do I do it after I fletched an arrow? Do I need to do something before I put them on an arrow and after? Your replies are greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Aaron

[Pat B]

I keep mine in a frig in the basement with furs, etc. You can store them in a plastic bag with borax in it to prevent bug damage.

[JW_Halverson]

Dropping them in the freezer for extended time isn't a bad idea. The freezing for longer periods of time dessicates the insects and even their larvae/eggs. It will also dry out the feathers in the long run and I have found that the feathers will strip better if they get steamed before attempting. I just set up the teakettle on the burner and get a good stream of steam blasting from the spout. By running the feather through the steam it plumps the barbules/web of the feather AND moisturizes the central spine.

I strip 99% of my feathers for arrows and find that steaming them takes some of the brittleness out of the feather. Fewer feathers break off early and I almost always get a full strip from tip of the feather all the way down to the sip of the quill.

[Eric Krewson]

I have some large zip lock bags that some of my wife's cancer treatment supplies came in. I put my feathers in these bags with a hand full of borax, zip them closed and give the bag a good shake. I can put hundreds of feathers in one of these bags, there may be some in the bag that are 20 years old and still look like I just cut them off a wing. If I do use these feathers, I give the bag a good shake again before I put the feathers back in the tub, I keep all my feathers in. I have arrows fletched with these feathers that I keep separated by spine in PVC holders in my shop as well, some are as old as 30 years old and have never had any bug damage after the initial borax treatment.

I can't shoot anymore because of accumulated injuries and surgeries so it is unlikely I will make any more arrows, I have already made up plenty if things should change.