Turkey help ?

soggybottom

soggybottom

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I got my first turkey. I took the rear feathers and beard off and I want to keep them. What do I need to do to them to get the meat off so it won't rot so I can hang them on the wall. And yes I got the meat have not tried it yet but looking forward to it. thanks
 
Coat any flesh in Borax (Twenty Mule Team brand can be obtained most anywhere they sell laundry detergent, i.e. Walmart).

I usually put the saved "trophies" in a quart or gallon-sized zip-lock bag. After a day or two, replace the old Borax with some fresh. This usually takes care of things.

You didn't save the spurs?

May be just me, but I'd rather save the spurs than the tail (usually throw away the tails).
 
88Mic said:
how do you get the spurs off?
Click to expand...
Tree limb pruners.
I use the same ones I use to remove deer jaw bones for aging.
Cut the legs (completely thru) about 1/2" on both sides of the spurs.
The turkey leg bone is hollow (but unbelievably strong & hard).
If you use anything less stout than these long-handled pruners, you'll probably break your equipment. I've broken the handles off of several pairs of pocket-sized pruners and game shears.

You can also use a bone saw if you prefer.

Bury the spurs in a zip-lock bag of Borax for a few days.
You can then run a piece of leather string through the bone for displaying, or some people like to make a necklace with them.
 
I use a hacksaw on the legs.
If you elect to keep the skin on, simply run a q-tip down the center of the bone to push out the marrow. A pair of pliers lets you grab the tendons that are in the other cavity right under the skin. Clean that spot our at well, a pipe cleaner works for that.
Use the borax (I add salt as well), filling the cavities and change every few days. Things will dry out well.
A coat of Johnson's wax will give the spur a nice sheen.
 
I have 2 fans and a fan and cape drying now just coat any fleshy bits with the borax. Just some plywood, tacks and Borax. I run the legs through my band saw to cut the spur section off. I put the beard and spurs in a container with borax and then wait 5 weeks for everything to dry. Then you are good to go.
 
Hacksaw cuts the leg bones in seconds. Cut on either side of each spur and trim off skin and stuff on the bone. Push a skewer or something thru the leg bones to push the fatty stuff out of the hollow part. Coat in salt or borax and dry.

Beard, trim all flesh off but don't damage follicles. Coat in salt and let dry.

Fan, trim all meat off down to where it turns yellow, careful not to damage base of feathers. Coat thoroughly in salt or borax, work it into the flesh with your fingers. Pin fan to board in the position you like it and let it dry a couple weeks.

Congrats on your first!
 
Why do y'all put the beard and spurs in borax? I just grab the beard at the base and with one pull it pops out with h no meat attached. On the spurs I use a hacksaw to cut them off and use a nail to push everything out of the middle. After skinning them with a knife I just run it under water to clean it out better and its done. Borax is the ticket on the fan no doubt.
 
If you want to ensure no insects or fat seaps out, get as much meat off as you can. Scrape what fat and meat off between the quills on the base of the tails feathers. Soak this in coleman fuel for a couple days. Then pin the fan out the way you want it on a piece of cardboard and cover with borax. Let it sit for a few weeks and watch it closely to make sure it doesnt move and change out the borax a couple times as well.

You can then mount it on the plaque you want. A little bondo may be needed if you took too much off the base, which is a good thing if you know what your doing.

This seems like a lot of work, but if you want to ensure the longevity this is one of the best ways.
 
I just cut the legs off, throw em in a pile, unless its a really good set, 1 1-2 or better. Already done the spur neckless, hatband thing, now I salt the beards and put em in a coffee can, will save a wing once in a while for a fly down wing. I usually throw the fans away. Borax as others have said is the best bet. Spurs make the bird, not beard length or weight. Congrats on yours.
 

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