standman Report post Posted April 12, 2009 Just wondering if anyone knows the proper way to skin a turkey for a full mount? If I am lucky enough to get my gobbler on my gould's hunt I want to do a full mount of him. My hunt is 6 hours from home and I want to take care of him as good as possible before I get him to the taxidermist. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 Congratulations on your goulds tag. I have been wating for some answers on here with interest. If I had plans on mounting him I would leave him whole and wipe off as much blood as possible then put paper towel, toilet paper, or something of the sort in his mouth to stop any blood or fluids from leaking. Keep the feathers as straight as possible and wrap him in a plastic garbage bag and place him on ice. You can make a little incision and remove the inerds but that isn't neccessary. Some will say it's not good to place it in a garbage bag becuese it will not let the heat out and this is true but not if it is going directly into the ice chest. Dedicate an ice chest just for your bird. You won't have to rush home and it will keep just fine for several days. On that note I would also suggest calling your taxidermist and ask how he would like you to take care of it. Good luck on your hunt. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GHOSTLUVR Report post Posted April 13, 2009 From past taxidermy experience I would tuck the birds head under a wing, wrap the entire bird in newspaper to protect the feathers, keep him dry and cool and either get him home and frozen or to the taxidermist asap! Good luck on your hunt... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Browning'sCustomMeat Report post Posted April 13, 2009 Use a game bag....the stretchy ones..... Place the head under the wing to keep him tight him tight and from ruining any small feathers down the neck. Place him head first in the game bag. This will help keep him tight and tucked together and the feathers in the right direction. Your taxi will love it. Keep him dry as possible. -Jeremy- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SunDevil Report post Posted April 13, 2009 someone informed me to put a tube sock over the head and neck before tucking it under the wing. they also said an old pillow case can be used but I like the game bag option. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
standman Report post Posted April 13, 2009 Talked to my taxidermist and he wants him whole. He said skinning isn't easy and he would like to do it himself. He said to keep him cool and dry in a large ice chest. Important to just keep him dry and not break any of the feathers especially the tail. Thanks for the replies. Going to start working on a liner for the ice chest that will keep him dry and cold. Thanks for the replies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Browning'sCustomMeat Report post Posted April 13, 2009 Dry ice.....and the rack from a roaster! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted April 13, 2009 I've also heard that placing him head first into panty hose will keep the feathers nice and tight. Good Luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted April 15, 2009 If you are trying to preserve the bird for taxidermy, is there hope of saving the meat as well or is it one or the other??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
standman Report post Posted April 16, 2009 If you are trying to preserve the bird for taxidermy, is there hope of saving the meat as well or is it one or the other??? I believe it depends on how soon it gets to the taxidermist. But probably it's one or the other. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted April 21, 2009 I don't know how taxidermists like it skinned, but it sure seems to me you can skin it and just give the taxi the hide and keep the meat to eat. We skinned a few birds last week in NM. I was hoping a taxidermist would come on here and say the "proper" way to do it. here are 2 pics of a skinned out turkey (Kathy Greene was the shooter and it's her first turkey): Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huntswnm Report post Posted April 21, 2009 I have never personally done any taxi work on a turkey but I would think it would be best to let the taxidermist do the skinning himself if at all possible. The skin is so thin that it is easy to tear, etc. Amanda, That is a great looking turkey....Looks like you guys had some luck! Have you written up a story on your hunt yet?? Jeff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted April 21, 2009 I have never personally done any taxi work on a turkey but I would think it would be best to let the taxidermist do the skinning himself if at all possible. The skin is so thin that it is easy to tear, etc. Amanda, That is a great looking turkey....Looks like you guys had some luck! Have you written up a story on your hunt yet?? Jeff Haven't written it up yet. I just got home last night and it will take me awhile to get something done. Hopefully in the next week or so I will get it up. Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
