OT - Turkey killing question

[1988rrc]

after you shoot a turkey, how long should you or can you wait before you harvest the meat?

[Bruce]

Absolutely that day, preferrably within a few hours.

[Marlin32]

As soon as practical. The warmer the weather, the sooner.
If you have to leave something intact for transport, at least pull guts out.

I have big ol' chest cooler, and will have ice, after bird is gutted, shove ice inside. When I get him home, then I bone off the meat.

[86er]

I go against the grain with birds. I'd take the guts out and leave it in approximately 50 degrees hanging for about 3 days. When we shot some pheasants on Saturday, Charles reminded me the following Sunday that he was eating his. Mine were still in the back of the truck. I cleaned them and they were perfect. As long as the meat never gets "hot" it will be fine. If you can regulate the temperature, put it in a gore-tex bag and keep it 40 degrees for 4 days before plucking.

[RIHMFIRE]

as soon as i get back to camp the bird is clean and on ice..

[jd45]

86er, since you mentioned pheasants I have a question. What do you do to counteract their dryness when you're preparing them to cook? Thanx for your culinary expertise, jd45

[kimwcook]

I go against the grain with birds. I'd take the guts out and leave it in approximately 50 degrees hanging for about 3 days. When we shot some pheasants on Saturday, Charles reminded me the following Sunday that he was eating his. Mine were still in the back of the truck. I cleaned them and they were perfect. As long as the meat never gets "hot" it will be fine. If you can regulate the temperature, put it in a gore-tex bag and keep it 40 degrees for 4 days before plucking.

Must have something to do with that SXS education.

[86er]

Apple cider vinegar and olive oil

[Hobie]

ASAP. In spring, I just take the breasts. Taste is much better that way.

[Old Ironsights]

Apple cider vinegar and olive oil

+1. That's what I do with almost all "dry" birds... (most dry game meat gets the vinegar & oil treatment come to think of it... just the variety of vinegar changes...)

[1988rrc]

the reason for the question; if a bird it taken early in the morning, we usually don't get back to camp for another 3-4 hours.

[Hobie]

the reason for the question; if a bird it taken early in the morning, we usually don't get back to camp for another 3-4 hours.

I would think that the temperatures would have a great deal to do with that decision.

[Twodot]

ASAP. In spring, I just take the breasts. Taste is much better that way.

If you do that in Montana the game warden might be calling on you. Here you have use the wings & legs too. Otherwise it's a "waste of game".
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