Turkey ??

Tom · April 23, 2007, 03:14:00 PM

Would like to know what is best for drying flesh left on the fan, feet, and beard of a turkey before placing on a board. Also which bones to use for a wingbone call? Last question, can wing feathers be split, sanded and the chopped to size? Will be using the right wing.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Tom

BigRonHuntAlot · April 23, 2007, 03:34:00 PM

Borax is good to use for drying the skin. The wing feathers can be split sanded and chopped. There was a Tutorial on her sometime back. I think Mickey did on how to split.

BigRonHuntAlot · April 23, 2007, 03:43:00 PM

Tom, Go to the How to Section and click on Mickey Lotz " The Ferrets" web page and look in the menu for stripping turkey feathers. The pictorial is there.

There is also a how to for making a wing bone call but the pics are not there.

Hope this helps.

You can get Borax from any taxidermy supply house.

mmgrode · April 23, 2007, 03:49:00 PM

Like Ron said, Borax is the way to go. Works great as a dessicant. Make sure to rub it into whatever flesh is there and let it sit someplace dry nailed down in the position you'd like it in. Don't mess with the taxidermy places though just go down to your grocery store and pick some up. It should be in the laundry section. Cheers, Matt

Talondale · April 23, 2007, 03:52:00 PM

Yep, Borax was what we used in college when preparing specimens. Cheap too. BTW 20 Mule Team Borax is a detergent. For those of us too young to remember the commercials.

BigRonHuntAlot · April 23, 2007, 03:57:00 PM

LOL I remember those commercials, barely. I didnt have any luck finding it at Food Lion the last time I looked...

DarkeGreen · April 23, 2007, 03:59:00 PM

You can get the cheap mounting kits at places like Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops for $15.00. It comes with the press board covered to look like wood, tacks, round cover "button" for mounting the beard on the front of the fan, borax, and a brass plate you can ingrave with the name, date, or whatever you want. I did one and is was very simple and had easy to follow directions.

Talondale · April 23, 2007, 04:36:00 PM

WalMart near me has started carrying it.

whitebuffalo · April 23, 2007, 04:42:00 PM

walmart carries it,, I actually buy a few supplies from there,borax,twoton 30 min epoxy, bondo,stimpling brushes,3/8 ramin dowels.ect.

sswv · April 23, 2007, 06:27:00 PM

20 Mule Team Borax! best and easiest way I've found so far Tom. hey' did you get your bird with that Vortex??

Budog56 · April 23, 2007, 07:29:00 PM

Is that the same stuff that came in the blue cardboard tube with the shaker holes and the mules on the side.that my grandpa used for hand soap?

whitebuffalo · April 23, 2007, 07:30:00 PM

yup

southernarcher · April 23, 2007, 08:59:00 PM

Just pull the beard out,no flesh left.Grab it at the base and lay your other hand down on the breast with the beard between the thumb and forefinger and pull.Thats it.

Tom · April 23, 2007, 09:13:00 PM

Thanks for all the help, guys.
Danny, been chasing spring birds with bow and shotgun for 12 years, close but no cigar til last Sat. Got a 21#, 9.5" beard and 1.25" spurs. But with the scattergun-thats why no pics here. This Sat. the Vortex DOES go with me.
Thanks again everyone.

sswv · April 23, 2007, 09:24:00 PM

hey Tom! That is a good bird for sure. Good luck on Saturday. One thing I like about turkey hunting in the spring is I seem to learn a little more each time I go and I've been at it for 30+ years and still I have a lot more to learn.

best afield

Tom · April 24, 2007, 05:49:00 AM

Danny,
Yes, the learning is great but the magic is sitting up in the dark and then hearing them crankup. One starts then others seem to have to answer so the stereo is the best in the world.