Duck feather question

[cootpatrol]

Now that it's finally duck season and I want to try my hand at tying some jigs this winter I was wondering if there are any particularly good feathers to keep? I got 5 opening day and forgot all about keeping feathers so I guess I'll have to shoot more. I think it would be real neat to tie feathers from a duck I harvested on a jig I poured to catch a fish. Thanks

[snake River]

Every further on a dock can't be used including myself we do die them in different colors you will see quite a few different patterns on here or at the top of the page and I'm pretty sure that some of the guys will post some on here for you to work out but don't throw away any of those further.

[GrouseFly]

I use the feathers from the breast and belly, especially from the mallard drake. You need to check the stiffness of a feather when it comes to making jigs. There is not alot you can do, jig wise with the wings, unless to trim the sides and use them for a small tail. But the breath and belly feathers are sweet to work with and make great jigs...

[cootpatrol]

Ok thanks for the advice.

[Badgerloader]

I use the side "pocket" feathers (barred feathers under the wings) from drake woodchuck, drake mallards and drake hooded organizer. These barred feathers make a very "buggy" looking jig. I tie them in 1/100, 1/80, 1/64, 1/32 & 1/16. My go-to size is 1/64. They work great on gills, crappie & stream trout. I use them beneath a small float for cast & retrieve or straight line in deeper water.

[skiptomylu]

Agree, other than flank and other soft feathers are good for jigs, but probably leave other stuff to fly tying guys!
i have not had internet for a few days now so couldn't check in here.

Skip

[Fatman]

Couldn't find my guide as I've been changing over computers but here's a bunch of them

https://www.google.com/search?q=wher...6SEd--FSTZtqybd

and here's another one showing the different flank feathers from each duck
https://www.google.com/search?q=duck...BTsQ_AUIrAIoAQ

On Wood ducks fly tyers are ALWAYS looking for good lemon barred flank feathers and Barred (white/black tipped wood duck feather).

Lemon Barred flank feather and Barred wood duck (white and black strip on top of feather)


Fly tyers use the lemon barred flank feathers for classic dry flys., the same for the white /black barred wood duck feathers but on them you want to bag all the white/black barred feathers from each duck in one zip bag as they need to match up on both sides of the fly.

If you're going to use them for tying you HAVE TO clean them!!!! Strip the flank feathers off the ducks and put in a jar with a lid - I use old maxwell house cans and use warm water, dawn dish soap - helps to degrease them and 20 mule team borax (don't know why but it acts like a bug deterent) and shake the heck out of them and let them sit. You want the to sit and get totally soaked, but shake the every now and then - I do this for 45 mins to an hour. After drain and rinse them well - If you get into dyeing feathers you'll want the really soaked like this helps the dye get into the better, if your not dyeing I squeeze the in paper towels to get most of the water out and then I put them in an old pillowcase and put in the dryer for 5 minutes of heat then turn to just air dry until dry and then bag them up in zip bags and mark what type they are.

It's much nicer tying with clean feathers. Every feather can be used for something in tying. I traded for a couple sets of wings and the guy knew out to clean them and get the meat out of the wings and dry them right.

Hope this helps you out!!

[liftbite56]

Great info I'm a flank
man myself!
lol . remember in case u don't know you legally can not sell the feathers or th jigs made with them. Fed law prohibits

[Fatman]

Here we go again!! Yes you can under Federal Law

Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
Volume: 9
Date: 2015-10-01
Original Date: 2015-10-01
Title: PART 20 - MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING
Context: Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries. CHAPTER I - UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE,
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (CONTINUED). SUBCHAPTER B - TAKING, POSSESSION, TRANSPORTATION, SALE, PURCHASE,
BARTER, EXPORTATION, AND IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

PART 20—MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING

Subpart J—Feathers or Skins

§ 20.91Commercial use of feathers.
Any person may possess, purchase, sell, barter, or transport for the making of fishing flies, bed pillows, and mattresses,
and for similar commercial uses the feathers of migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese, brant, and swans) killed by hunting pursuant to
this part, or seized and condemned by Federal or State game authorities, except that:

(a) No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter for millinery or
ornamental use the feathers of migratory game birds taken under authority of this part; and

(b) No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter mounted specimens
of migratory game birds taken under authority of this part.

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-20...ml#seqnum20.92

[slammingjack]

Yeah, what Fatman said.