need some opinions....best way to field dress a turkey...

[geterdun]

I simply need your guys help in explaining how to get a turkey from the field to the table. After the kill, what is your normal routine? thanks alot

[Goose 11]

I get mites when I clean him. [8D][8D][8D][8D][8D]

[Arrowmaster]

I myself breast them out. I hang them by their legs and pluck the feathers around the breast area and then cut the breasts out. Then pluck around the legs and cut off the drum sticks.

[bradisthebest]

I pluck mine and that way i don't lose any juices or meat from the bird.

[mauser06]

depends.....if its not 90 degrees and im going to take care of it within a few hours i wont gut it till im home.....pics.....show off.....then ill go home and cut off the beard legs and fan..then the wings.....then i skin the whole bird.....skin pulls right off....plucking would take forever and be messy....cut off the head and neck and then open the vent...its between the breast bone and tail bone....and pull out the guts.....make it look like a turkey youd buy at the store....get everything out......hose it out and off.......cook or freeze it.........the end! birds are really easy to dress.....but it kinda takes a feel for to learn to do it...just like anything else.....

[JW]

Mauser has a good point - if hot - I will gut and cool bird with small bag of ice....

I'll post how I do it with pics..JW

[Kamil]

what if u want to get the whole bird mounted? what do u guys do then?

[NyDeer]

I've been told if you want a turkey mount, let it cool, plastic bag it, and put in in the cooler & deliver to taxidermist. Anyone else hear or do anything different?

[OntElk]

Cuttin n Strutin 9 from HStrut (might be 8) has on the DVD a bonus feature of a taxidermist giving a detailed lesson on skinng out a bird for transport to the taxidermist and full mounting.

I plan on doing a ful mount this year so the plan is the portable tv with dvd in the garage

I also want to deep fry one and for that you need the skin on. I use a big cooler and fill with boiling water. Dip the bird in and the feathers pull off real easy. It's still messy. Water + feathers= angry [:@]wife when she looks in the garage.