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. I am a traditional archer and bowhunter and I make all my own equipment.

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