Just shot first turkey Help..

I have done a few deer with great results. I really want to mountthis bird myself. How can I skin out the breasts and still save it for mounting.. If someone could email with a phone number I would gladly call back

Stacey

Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu

don't worry its not that hard

Just be careful and do not cut through or pull out any feathers. Go to anal vent, move up about an inch, and cut from the center all the way up the center of the breast bone to the point where the breast drops off going to the beard. (go down a little but not all the way to the beard) Skin down the sides as far as you can go. Usually you can take your fingers and pull it way but don't pull too hard as the skin will rip apart.
then cut the breast meat at the breast bone and work it down on both sides.
then your done.

Try not to get too much blood on the feathers. and you should be fine. Also don't be in a hurry and make sure your knife is sharp. don't force anything. After you start its no problem. Then double bag a freeze.

You may want to go on an remove the tail. pull the feathers toward the front of the bird until you see the oil gland and make a straight cut across. Then work your way areoundtail and back up around the back of the tail and work the skin down. Then use some snips to cut the tail bone. This skin is very thin to be careful, and in all places do not make jagged cut, straight cuts are easier to deal with.

Also freeze the tail with the rest of the turkey. With the tail removed its easier to store in te feezer without it getting bent to much. and the rest of the bird will protect it a little.

I hope this helps.

Good luck, Rob

Thanks Rob

Thanks Rob. I jumped right in and it was much easier than I though it would be.. Now I need to get some videos and Breakthrough manual and I will be set. Thanks also to Woodchick for the email and phone conversation.

Stacey

I would just get the Break through magzine with Cally Morris

I got the Breakthrough manual. I do refreence it, put the break through magazine did a 3 part segement on turkeys using Cally Morris' techniques, this is great. You can order these, I don't have the numbers at this time, but if you call them they will help you out.

Also a good startup book by Todd Triplett. Turkey Taxidermy Reference Book Its at Van Dykes for 21.99 Item no : 01000587 Ends up 30 some dollars after they add the freight.

I hope this helps.
Rob