Getting ready to hit the turkey woods. What is the proper way to care for the bird once it is down? And is there any tricks as to removing the fan or head? Any help would be great. Thanks alot.
Return to Beginners Category Menu
the first think i would do is shot placement. get the birds head up & out of strut.then get on the bird as soon as it hits the ground.if it is still flooping i pick up the bird by feet,watch for the spurs then pinch off wind pipe till i see-feel all live is out of it.
then it up to you if want to but in game bag/vest out over shoulder.the big thing if you going to mount it is to handle it with "love".not but it it the back of the truck drive all over with it slidding all over.
as removing the head just cut along the feather track,tail is a little different if you going to mount the bird yourself our have someone else do it for you.eather way it has a small bone that has to come out & be free of meat & fat.then washed before mounting.
okay like said above, get him out of strutt and give him a good shot to the head then get on that bird. use your gun butt to restrict the airflow. usually were the feathers meet the head skin. don't pick the bird up right away or you might find out why they have those 1 inch spurs. if he is flopping around alot , pin his head with the gun then use your knees to pin his wings into the body area(like he would look standing their)sit on him if you have to just be careful not to kneel on any feathers or the tail because if he has some life into him he will pull them out. like i said earlier give him a good shot to the head and he should be down for the count. now for the head and tail do what tim said. another great idea is to take a plastic sandwich bag and a rubber band with you hunting, that way when you kill that big tom and you want to carry him out you put that sandwich bag on his head , then you wont get blood all over the back of your pants from his bleeding hanging head! good luck hope you get into them good this year!
Thanks alot for your responses! So basically skinning a turkey is just like skinning a pheasant or any other bird for mounting? Is it better to freeze the bird whole or should I skin it, remove the head and fan?