is a tumbler really needed thanks al
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It can make it easier to dry birds because you throw them in and walk away. Before I owned a tumbler I would use a trash bag or five gallon bucket filled with corn cob grit just to get a bunch of the moisture out because it's a little tough with just a blow dryer or compressor. Some people simply hang them out to dry for a while then finish up with compressed air. Others won't use tumblers because of damage to feathers. Harry Whitehead (turkey expert) will tell you you're foolish if you use a tumbler. A lot use gas to displace the water, but I don't like messin with it. So to answer your question, no, but most wouldn't do it any other way.
when i quit using my tumbler for ducks and geese i had much better results due to not having all the sawdust in the down, I still like it for upland game.