I Got my feathers to make jigs

[shipahoy41]

Skip......

These feathers sure are pretty. I will definitely use the Hackle and Marabou. When they dry, I'll send you some tail feathers and others if you want.

Doc Crappie

Here are a few more detailed instructions on how to preserve a cape. Hope it helps some.

HOW TO CLEAN A CAPE

Skinning
Many of today’s turkey hunters prefer skinning to plucking. Skinning a wild turkey is easy and, with practice, can take less than three minutes per bird.

The first step to skinning a wild turkey is to hang it from the head and cut off the wings at the first joint. Then, remove the beard by pulling gently and cutting the loose skin at the base. The next step is to remove the lower legs by cutting around the joint where the feathers meet the scaly part of the leg.

Remove the cape next by inserting a knife into the neck skin where the feathers start on the back of a gobbler's neck. Continue the cut down the neck and back following the subtle division between the back and breast feathers. Continue the cuts down to the base of the tail feathers and sever the fan by cutting the base of the tail. The cape and fan can then be put aside for mounting until the job of butchering is completed.

The remainder of the turkey's skin is removed by pulling and trimming with a knife where needed. The skin is removed from the legs by rolling it down as far as possible, that then it is severed with a circular cut of the knife.

Next, remove the upper wings and legs. Starting at the base of the neck, strip the skin from the carcass. The entrails can now be removed by cutting from the tail to the tip of the breastbone and cutting around the anus. Using your hand, reach in and pull out the viscera, trying not to tear them.
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Hang the turkey by its head and begin skinning out the back of the turkey by starting high on its neck where the feathers begin. If you've ever plucked a turkey, you know that a turkey's feathers are laid out in tracts and not every inch of skin has feathers coming out of it. For a cape mount, you want to remove the tract of feathers that run in about a 3" wide strip down the turkey's back. You can see a part in the feathers if you look closely and once you start skinning down the back of the bird you can see it's a very thin strip of skin that contains all the feathers that cover the back and even down the sides of the turkey.

Carefully skin the bird's back all of the way down to the tail and then cut down through the base of the tail to remove the tail with the back skin still attached. Lay the cape off to the side and finish dressing the bird. After the cleaning is complete, you have the option of washing the cape if the feathers got dirty or were messed up on the tips. After the feathers are dry, rub the entire bare skin and tail section with borax (You can use 20 Mule Team Borax which is a laundry additive you can find at Wal-Mart.) Don't skimp on the borax since it will help dry the skin and preserve it so the bugs won't attack it. The cape should be check periodically during its drying period of around 3 - 5 weeks. You may need to add more borax during this time.


Hang the turkey by its head and begin skinning out the back of the turkey by starting high on its neck where the feathers begin. If you've ever plucked a turkey, you know that a turkey's feathers are laid out in tracts and not every inch of skin has feathers coming out of it. For a cape mount, you want to remove the tract of feathers that run in about a 3" wide strip down the turkey's back. You can see a part in the feathers if you look closely and once you start skinning down the back of the bird you can see it's a very thin strip of skin that contains all the feathers that cover the back and even down the sides of the turkey.

Carefully skin the bird's back all of the way down to the tail and then cut down through the base of the tail to remove the tail with the back skin still attached. Lay the cape off to the side and finish dressing the bird. After the cleaning is complete, you have the option of washing the cape if the feathers got dirty or were messed up on the tips. After the feathers are dry, rub the entire bare skin and tail section with borax (You can use 20 Mule Team Borax which is a laundry additive you can find at Wal-Mart.) Don't skimp on the borax since it will help dry the skin and preserve it so the bugs won't attack it. The cape should be check periodically during its drying period of around 3 - 5 weeks. You may need to add more borax during this time.

[tntjigman]

Good looking birds. Cleveland Browns????? I am no bird expert, where on those critters is the marabou located?

[Uncle Grump]

I've plucked my share of wild birds, and saved many of the feathers - one of my swap jigs - #4 if I remember correctly - I did with back feathers from a young hen I took in a fall hunt.

The marabou is a light gray (solid) - but I can't recall where its found on the bird....

Here is pic of a pelt mount (spring 2007) that hangs in my office at work. This was done by a local taxidermist....

UG

[OKSTATEjiggy]

Ship, congratulations on the turkeys. Did you shotgun 'em?

[Fatman]

Nice birds Buddy!!!!!!!

Fatman

[shipahoy41]

Good looking birds. Cleveland Browns????? I am no bird expert, where on those critters is the marabou located?

It's the soft fine hair at the bottom of the feathers. Yes, I am a Cleveland Brown diehard fan and proud of it. I have spent 55 of my 63 years living in Ohio and rooting for them. Just because I moved where snow is a rarity does not mean I swith my allegience to the Atlanta Falcons or Dallas Cowboys! I am a Browns die hard fan.:D:D:D:D


OK STate....Remington did the job. I just aimed and held my breath.:D:D:D

[grubfarmer67]

OH MY GOD GUYS"WE WEB FOOTED HILLBILLIES HERE ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND ROUND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA"JUST THROUGH THE FEATHERS,N SKINS AWAY!!!"MAN WE KILL NEARLY 6 PER SEASON! MORE WHEN THEY OPEN ANOTHER FOX HUNT ...!JEEEESH"BET I WONT BE THROUGHING ANYMORE SKINS AWAY FOR NOW ON"!HE"HE"



GRUBS"

[grubfarmer67]

I've plucked my share of wild birds, and saved many of the feathers - one of my swap jigs - #4 if I remember correctly - I did with back feathers from a young hen I took in a fall hunt.

The marabou is a light gray (solid) - but I can't recall where its found on the bird....

Here is pic of a pelt mount (spring 2007) that hangs in my office at work. This was done by a local taxidermist....

UG

Nice mount uncle grump"!:Dooooh"!yeah"!

[tntjigman]

Thanks for the marabou picture Ship. I had no idea. As for being a Browns fan, I can't knock ya. Been a Raider fan all my life. I know, I know.... KC Chiefs biggest rival but the Raiders helmet I got for Christmas when I was 5 still comes out on Sundays! Many times I wanted to kick it or set it on fire!!!!!!!!!

[shipahoy41]

Thanks for the marabou picture Ship. I had no idea. As for being a Browns fan, I can't knock ya. Been a Raider fan all my life. I know, I know.... KC Chiefs biggest rival but the Raiders helmet I got for Christmas when I was 5 still comes out on Sundays! Many times I wanted to kick it or set it on fire!!!!!!!!!

Raiders will have it easier this year. Stupid Broncos just traded Cutler to the Bears.


Grubfarmer I'm sure Skip, myself and many other tiers would love those capes and hackle. Put salt and borax on them, cure them for a few weeks and ship them to us.:D:D:D:D