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Hey guys, I am a rookie when it comes to hunting, I kick myself all the time for not starting when I was a kid, but here I am at 28 trying to make up for lost time. I have never harvested a turkey and i plan on it this year. I told myself that I would have my first longbeard displayed in my house. I have heard that turkeys are the most difficult animal to do so I need some pointers in how to select a taxidermist and also how do I need to turn in the bird...do I need to do anything different when dressing the bird to preserve certain things. Any help would be very appreciated and I apologize if this is "basic information" that everyone should know, like I said, I'm a rookie. Thanks again, Andy
by the way the date and time are way off on that trail cam lol
If possible freeze your turkey whole in a garbage bag. Make sure the tail feathers are not spread out. Don't gut it or it will be a lot more work for your taxidermist and blood may get on feathers. Turkeys are a little different than fish in that freeze-dried heads are the way to go. Freeze-dried looks a lot more realistic especially if your taxidermist knows how to re-paint them. I would only go to a taxidermist that specializes in turkeys. They will likely spend a lot more time on your bird and likely know a lot more about what they are doing. You usually get what you pay for and the better taxidermist likely cost a bit more.
Talk to some local hunters to see who they use. Turkeys are kind of a specialized art. Some are great at them, and some never should get near one, even though they do great big game.
Remember the biggest trophy from your first season are the memories you make and carry.
Have fun and Andy, 28 IS A KID to a lot of us!
E-mail me at [email protected] if I might be able to help. I've turkey hunted a bit. :-)
Where do you live, I may know some hunters and/or taxidermists in that area.?
Writer, I am up by Kansas City, Kansas. If you know anyone in the area that would be very helpful. I found McHugh Taxidermy in Minnesota so I would have to ship it but his stuff looked real legit. The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way is he said it would be difficult if I took the meat before I shipped it...There is no way I'm not going to eat what I take.
Andy
If you insist on eating the bird too then you need to find someone local to either mount it or skin it out for the taxidermist you want to use. Reason, you don't know what you are doing when you breast it out and so can and probably will create more work for the taxidermist. That's not a slam but rather just an honest fact. It only took one client to teach me that lesson. A suggestion, go to taxidermy.net and then to the bird forum and ask for recommendations for someone In your area or close. Good luck in your endeavor ! Turkey hunting gets in your blood!! Jim
I just find it weird that people hunt other than the meat. It doesn't sit well with me. I understand the thrill of the hunt is amazing but to hunt something and not eat it in my opinion isn't right unless it is a predator.
Yep just freeze it whole. Once it's frozen wrap it tight in the plastic bag. My first bird years ago I froze whole and had it in the freezer for nine months. Partially thawed it and skinned it out. Bones out the meat and ate it. No freezer burn at all when they have the skin left on.
If you are in Kansas City, one of the best turkey guys I know of is Cally Morris. Just google his name, he is in Missouri. It would probably be a long drive, but maybe within a few hours.
I hear you about eating what you shoot. I personally love to eat wild turkey. I also have customers who ask that I breast the bird when I skin it for mounting. It takes a little extra work, but it's worth it for both of us. I do have guys who bring me bird after bird, and don't ask for the meat. Some just bring it in whole wanting a fan or a cape and don't want the meat. I don't get it either. Good luck.
Andy, The BEST turkey taxi (or deer for that matter) you will find lives just south of you down by Collins, mo. Only 1.5hrs south of kc but well worth the drive. 417-428-3627 name is James. His turkeys are second to none.
Three different taxidermists let me make a straight slice down the breast bone and carefully fillet off the breast meat. Can't tell it looking at the mounts.
I like turkey a lot, too.
About a month ago someone gave me SIX breast halves they had vacuum-sealed in their freezer!
Won't go to waste at our place.
So I can't keep the leg meat? I'm ready to try it on the gumbo recipe ;)
Renegade I've heard you can use the thighs and drumstick meat. Someone posted this before. Chopped onion, your favorite baroque sauce, can of diced tomatoes and thighs and drumsticks in a crockpot. They also said a tablespoon of instant coffee for some reason. Supposed to make great sandwich fixins.
DL....he knows you can EAT the leg and thigh meat, it's getting to it while still having the bird mounted that's the problem.
Instant coffee is a great tenderizer and is used in several recipes if cooking up an old buck or goose.
Yeah I didn't re read my first line after I wrote it. I knew he did know but my brain and finger weren't connected.(as usual). I have used my fish smoking recipe on the turkey breast and it comes out fantastic. I tried it on the thighs and legs. I could have knocked a person unconcious with them.
A really good taxidermist will be able to take a p.o.s. turkey that was butchered by inexperienced hands and turn it into a beautiful piece the same as if he had skinned it himself. It's more work when it's been butchered but the finished work should be impressive.
I have several turkeys mounted. I have killed some in other states and had to fly them home. This is how I do it.
Cut the tail off at the base. Google on where to make the cut. Make a small incision from the anus towards the breast. Make it just big enough to pull the guts (3"). There will not be much blood.
Whipe the head clean of blood, put into a sanwich bag. Tuck the head under it's wing.
Slip the turkey in the a leg of pany hose to protect the fleathers.
Fold the fan, place cardboard over the fan and tape shut. This protects the fan. Now put all of this in the freezer.
If you are taking the bird that day to the taxi; just take it. If you want the breast meat; the taxi can give you the bird after he skins it.
Destroyer350's Link
If you are in KCK give Chris Carson in Independence, MO a call. Tell him the Ferguson's sent you. He is cheap and you will have it back very fast.
Do your self a favor if you take a turkey, give the turkey roost a call. excellent excellent work.
http://theturkeyroost.com/
Dennis Razza's Link
When you decide on who you will be using for the taxidermy I would check with them on prep work. There's a bunch of ways to mount and skin birds. It should be no problem saving your meat.
Here's a link to a turkey taxidermy thread that might have some good info for you. Good luck!
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Dennis, I just tried to call you if you could give me a call at 316-218-3036 I have some questions. My biggest concern is keeping the meat, secondly is the mount.
Basically I am looking to be able to keep all the meat and get a mount for under 700...i have a feeling that this is asking a lot so if it isnt possible I understand and I will just try to do a fan myself.
Thanks again Dennis, I seriously appreciate all the advice
Do a search on youtube under caping or skinning a turkey. There are some really good how-tos! Here's one of them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_7umMqtDb8
If you can cape and freeze it right away you'll have a lot less to ship or transport...plus be able to keep the meat! I would also cut off the head and put the entire head and neck into a zip lock bag with water in it. Once frozen the head will be ok for freeze-drying.
Thanks Jims thats a very informative video!
Andy
Andy, FYI...some guys don't cut off the tail feathers like the guy in the video. Also, if you want to eat the drum sticks a taxidermist can use artificial drumsticks rather than using the original turkey drumstick bones. Just keep and freeze the lower part of the legs with feet and hooks.