How to Field-Dress Trophy Turkeys

Thunder chicken down! Now what?

by
posted on April 4, 2023
turkalurk, lurkin
After waking at 00:Dark:30 and calling turkeys all morning, your efforts paid off and your tom turkey is down...and what a beaut! If you'd like to have him mounted, there are some steps you'll need to take right to prepare your wild turkey to be processed by a taxidermist. Here's what to do.

Do not dress any bird you intend to take to a taxidermist. Immediately after retrieving your game bird, wipe any blood off its feathers using a clean cloth. Dab the cloth lightly in water if necessary to remove stubborn stains. Do not rough up the feathers; instead, wipe in the direction they lie. Stuff cotton batting in the bird's mouth and nostrils if you can, to prevent further blood leakage. 

If your car is nearby, lay the bird on clean paper in a place where it will not be disturbed. Be sure to smooth out the feathers before laying it down. If your transportation isn't accessible at the moment, you can roll your bird into a cone of newspapers or a paper bag and carry it with its head down. (If you don't carry it head-down, blood could drain through the nostrils and beak and stain the feathers.) Don't wrap your trophy bird in a plastic bag when taking it home, as this will cause the bird to retain its body heat and spoil.

Once you're home, double-check to ensure your bird's feathers are all lying correctly and smoothly. Wrap it in paper or a plastic bag (it's fine to use a plastic bag at this point), and freeze it solidly. Keep it frozen for delivery to your taxidermist, as chances are he or she will likely have to store it for several weeks before mounting it.

Latest

Nra Logo Periwinkle
Nra Logo Periwinkle

NRA Files Amicus Brief Asking Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to District of Columbia’s Magazine Ban

The NRA’s brief argues that D.C.'s ban on magazines of 10 or more rounds is unconstitutional.

Throwback Thursday: Remington Double Derringer

Its technical name is the Model 95, but this diminutive pistol is the image that comes to mind when you hear "derringer."

Reviewed: Kimber 2K11 Pistol

Don't be fooled: Kimber's full-size, double-stack 1911-style handgun shoots almost as softly and accurately as a race-tuned .22.

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Colorado’s Excise Tax on Gun & Ammunition Sales

"We are pleased to join with other Second Amendment advocates in this lawsuit to protect and defend the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.”

Catch Big & Rich Performing Live at "NRA Show" in Atlanta

These staunch Second Amendment supporters headline our "Freedom Experience" concert at NRA's Annual Meetings & Exhibits this month.

No Fooling: Silencer Central Pays Tax Stamps Through April 15, 2025

“We wanted to do something for our customers to reduce some of the stress of tax time," notes Silencer Central CEO Brandon Maddox.



Get the best of NRA Family delivered to your inbox.