Why White???

[Blue]

Though I'm a new bow hunter it's still a mystery why we spend sometimes thousands in camo and other gear to make ourselves invisible, yet, have arrows with white vanes/fletching. At times I've returned to my stand after trimming to see those white feathers sticking out like a sore thumb. Seems slight movement would even worse (After two years of spooking deer on the draw I finally grayed them out with markers and nailed a deer that day. Interesting coincidence though). From what little I've learned, deer seem like humans in that they see CONTRAST before color - right? Hope I'm not opening an old can of worms here but what's the purpose of white and light colored fletching on arrows? To find them in the grass? Maybe someone has a more scientific or experential take on this. Thanks for any input.

[plugger]

Easier to see on and after the shot and blood looks so good on white.

[john warren]

your right about brite things flaggin deer. brite fletching is real pretty, and it also helps to find arrows after there shot. to use them without flagging every deer in the county requires a little thought. number one best invention for bow hunters hands down.......the cat quiver. it covers your fletching with a nice camocover, it protects them from rain and snagging on brush. it gets ride of that noisy obtrusive snaggin sob of a bow quiver. they come with nice little packs attached to carry stuff in. and when you draw an arrow it can be done smoothly and without flagging you quarry.

that being said,you can get arrows fletched in beautiful camo patterns too. but when they hit the ground,,,lol boy does that camo fletching work good.

[ArrowFlinger]

I had a set of fletching, 2 black 1 purple. Shot on deer, saw the pass through, but never could find the arrow. Found the deer 10 yds west 20 yds S.E. plot right in the middle of my exit trail.

Next year I am going to consider the Lighted nocks. What is the legality of these. Tracer Bullets are illegal, are tracker arrows illegal too?

[mich buckmaster]

I use white wraps with one white vane at least. I want to know of my hit, and I also sometimes video and want to follow the arrow better with the camera. I also NEVER use a quiver in the tree, I take it off and hang it up above me or in the crotch of a tree. I really think deer will not see you because of a few fletchings, moving is what causes deer to see you.

[fishin' fin]

Deer are color blind! They do see movement though. I use white or yellow or flouresent colored fletchings so I can hopefully see my arrow. :)

[fulldraw]

One of the number one reason people you white wraps or bright color fletching is one if you are video taping your hunt you can see the arrow better and two you can the color of the blood better the darker the brighter the color means a major arttery hit and if it has blood bubbles on it, it means lung hit.

I do not use wraps or dips, I have tried them but they weigh down my arrow to much for my liking and also have to put new ones on every time you refletch. I you two dark fletching and you bright color chartrous or yellow with a knock, chartrous, white or orange.

fulldraw

[deerslayer#1]

I use white wraps, with flames, and pink 4 inch vanes. I hope to see my arrow in flight when I shoot. Bows are getting so fast, I need to do something to my arrows, to hopefully see where it hits. My bow shoots 324 fps and it's hard to see them. With the cost of my arrow shafts at 180.00 dozen, I dont want to loose them. After mowing the yard, I usually find them because of the bright spot, under the grass.

As far as the deer seeing your arrow in the tree, Id'e suggest getting in a different tree. Like 3 or 4 growing together, for better concealment. Also a little higher up.
I have never had a deer see my arrows, and I have some bright ones. You say after
you have returned to your stand after trimming you can see your arrows. Sounds like your trimming way to much!! Cut as little as possible, those deer live in those woods and know when their is change.

Now, after that if you think deer are seeing your arrows. Get the camo arrows, camo vanes, camo everything. Worse thing to do is sit in a tree and think your doing something wrong! Now you will find out why we spend so much on camo clothes and equipment??

As far as deer seeing color?? I have no idea what a deer, coyote, squirrel or anything can see. BUT I DO KNOW THEY SEE YOU WHEN YOU MOVE!!

[fishin' fin]

The deer don't see your arrows, maybe sunlight reflecting a shiny part or alighted sight pin. There is always you'r stench to worry about before color any day. :)

[Joe Archer]

....what's the purpose of white and light colored fletching on arrows? ....

In a hunting situation, as others have mentioned it is to help you identify where the animal was hit. In my opinion, the main reason deer are not recovered is not because of bad hits, rather hunters too often do not realize when they made a less than favorable hit. They start tracking right away and push the deer.
If you draw on a deer that is looking at you, he will likely bust you more often than not no matter what color fletch you have. If you draw when they are not looking, they will not recognize you because of light fletch. <----<<<