I had a phone call from a buddy from the mid west. He had taken a big turk with his bow and took it to a taxidermist. The guy told him he would not take it because Fall turkeys shed the feathers, especialy under the wings?
As I was talking to him and started thinking, I dont remember mounting a fall turkey, but have taken my share and sure dont remember any feathers falling out? I am in Texas so they were all rio's.
Any and all comments welcome.
Thanks in advance.
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Fall Turkeys arer usually full of pin feathers. They WILL fall out during the mounting process.
I just finished 2 turkeys killed within the past week. And yes the feathers can be problematic at times. However it depends on just whet stage of the molt the birds are in. Turkey molt in early fall to prepare them with a good coat of feathers for the winter. If the bird is in the early stages of the molt. Then there is a greater feather loss. in the later stages there are more pin feathers to deal with. But far less loose ones. a careful examination of the bird can predict the viability of mounting it. However remember that fall turkey often have tails that make spring Jake's tail look good.