Turkey Feathers?

[iaduckhntr]

I just got a couple pr. of wings from a buddy. However they are blood stained in places& dirty, kinda frayed lookn. Whats the best way to clean them up before preping for use, or is it better to wait till they are cut& ground ready for the arrow?    
Dennis

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I would remove each Primary feather then get a large pot or tupper ware bowl and soak them in warm water. Gently wipe the blood and other gunk off then rinse in clean water and lay them out on a paper towel to dry. Try to be careful with the feather folicles and try not to crease them.

I'm sure somebody else out there has had to do this at some point, but that's the way I have done it.

What happened to it anyway, did it get drug behind the truck or what? I don't think I've ever ruffed up a bird that bad. Maybe a little blood but turkeys don't bleed that much.

[iaduckhntr]

Semo Thanks for your info! I don't know what or how it happened to them, a trapper buddy saved them for me, he just took the breast& tail fan off them& told me to come& get em.

[stringstretcher]

Put just a couple of drops of dawn diswashing liquid in your warm water.  Helps clean them better without haveing to rub on them as hard to get dirt and stains out.

[iaduckhntr]

Thanks String, I'll give that a try when I get ta cleaning them up.

[Converml]

I've had to clean them too. You can sit with a towel on your knee, after letting them soak with the soap set them on your leg and drag a wet cloth shaft end to the tip. Putting it Long your leg gives a firm surface with some conture so the feather is less apt to be damaged. Take care Merle

[iaduckhntr]

Thanks Merle, that makes good sense, I'll give it a try.
Dennis

[Converml]

Hope it works out for you Dennis. Merle

[Living_waters]

When I mount a turkey I blow dry them, it fluffs the little barbs that interlocks the veins of the feathers. Blow them backwards to dry and with  the grain to make them lay down. You can gently run your fingers over the gaps from the quill out to interlock the barbs.  And as been said dawn will get out most stains.

[iaduckhntr]

Thanks Living, that sounds like a good trick to know! My buddy is talking about him& nis boys going out 4th season& getting 3 or4 more! That ought to give me enough to lean how to do them up! He's going to make me earn them tho, he has 800-850 rats comming tomarrow hes contracted to finnish out& talked me into helping out skinning.

[Living_waters]

Originally posted by iaduckhntr:
 He's going to make me earn them tho, he has 800-850 rats comming tomarrow hes contracted to finnish out& talked me into helping out skinning.

Thats why I quit doing taxidermy, aint noting better than pile of frozen critters......NOT!