- Savage Blog
- How to Field Dress a Turkey: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Field Dress a Turkey: A Step-by-Step Guide
When you harvest a wild turkey, you want to ensure that you preserve and use the bird in a way that honors your harvest and preserves the memory of the hunt. The process to field dress a turkey is fairly quick, simple, and easy for any turkey hunter to learn. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of field dressing a wild turkey, from preserving the beard and spurs to harvesting the breast, legs, and tail fan. With these tips, you can make the most out of the turkey you’ve worked hard to hunt and harvest!
How to Remove and Preserve the Turkey's Beard
The first step to field dress a turkey is to remove the turkey’s beard. The beard is one of the most iconic features of a wild turkey, often used as a measuring stick of the “trophy” potential of the bird. Many hunters will keep the beard to include in a mount, or as a keepsake to remember the hunt. The beard is a bundle of long, hair-like feathers that grow from the center of the turkey’s chest. Typically, beards are found on male turkeys (gobblers and jakes), but they can also be found occasionally on female turkeys (hens).
To remove the beard, use a sharp knife to cut the beard as close to the breast as possible. Take care not to damage the feathers or the surrounding area. You can also make a small incision around the base of the beard to detach it without damaging it. There should be a small chunk of tissue still attached to the beard to help hold it together.
To preserve the beard, simply remove any excess tissue and fat around the base of the feathers. Allow it to dry in a cool, dry place for several days. It is also common to cover the remaining tissue at the base of the beard in borax to prevent decomposition and help preserve the beard. You can pour some borax into a small container, and then set the beard in the borax for several days to preserve it. You can then mount the beard on a plaque or store it in a shadow box to showcase it.
How to Remove the Turkey's Feet to Keep the Spurs
The spurs are another measuring stick of the quality of a turkey and are often kept alongside the beard and tail fan to display. Hunters will typically keep the lower part of a turkey’s leg, which includes the spurs and feet, to display on a mount or in a case. This step can be done early in the process when you field dress a turkey or saved for the end after you have removed the legs and thighs.
Spurs are sharp, hard growths found on the back of a turkey’s legs. They are found only on male turkeys and can reach lengths of over 1 ½ inches on large, mature gobblers. To keep the feet and spurs, start by cutting through the tendons and skin around the lower joint of the turkey’s legs (think of the bottom part of a chicken drumstick!). Using a sharp knife, sever any remaining skin or connective tissue and twist the joint to break it free from the leg.
You can clean the feet and spurs if you would like, or you can leave them as they are. If you want the feet to stand up or have some other post for display, you will want to adjust the toes quickly, as they become rigid after a few hours. You can mount the spurs on a plaque or keep them in a small display box for a unique trophy.
How to Remove and Preserve the Turkey's Tail Fan
A turkey's tail fan is one of its most striking features and makes a fantastic display piece. For many, it evokes memories of the hunt, especially if you are lucky enough to see a gobbler come strutting into your setup. Removing the tail fan is one of the first steps when you field dress a turkey, and it’s a very simple task to accomplish!
Begin by carefully cutting around the base of the tail feathers with a sharp knife. Make sure you’re cutting just above the base, where the feathers connect to the bird’s body. There will be a small joint that you will cut to remove the tail fan. Be sure to remove the feathers in one smooth cut, so you don’t damage them.
Once removed, gently clean any remaining tissue from the base of the feathers. You can dry the tail fan by hanging it in a cool, dry place for several days. To prevent warping or curling, you may want to spread the fan out and press it between two flat surfaces or attach it to a straight surface to help it dry in place. Like the beard, you can apply borax to the base where any remaining tissue may be present.
After drying, you can mount the tail fan for display. Use a mounting board or frame, and make sure the feathers are spaced evenly. Many companies sell dedicated turkey mounts that hold the tail fan in place for display. Consider displaying it with the spurs and beard for a complete and stunning display of your turkey!
How to Remove the Breast of the Turkey
When you field dress a turkey, the main cut you’ll be working with is the turkey breast. It is a delicious cut of meat with lots of uses, so take your time and make sure you process it correctly! To start, place the turkey on its back and look for the breast, which is the large, meaty area on the lower front part of the bird. The breast is divided into two sections—left and right—which are separated by the breastbone. You can locate the breastbone by feeling along the turkey’s midsection for a hard point.
Once you find the top of the breastbone, peel back the breast feathers to expose the skin of the turkey. Use a sharp fillet knife to make a shallow cut along one side of the breastbone. Carefully follow along the breastbone and the contour of the breast meat, using short, controlled cuts to separate the meat from the rib cage. On mature gobblers, the breast can be fairly large and often extends down to where the wing meets the body. Repeat this on the other side of the breastbone.
Once the meat is separated, carefully peel the breast meat away from the bird’s body. If you encounter any tough tissue or cartilage, just trim it off with your knife. After removing the breasts, you can either skin them or leave the skin on for roasting, depending on your preference. If you’re not cooking the turkey immediately, be sure to store the breast in a cooler with ice to keep it fresh, or vacuum seal and freeze it if you plan to eat it at a later time.
How to Remove the Legs and Thighs of the Turkey
While the breast meat is the most popular cut of the turkey, the legs and thighs can often be turned into delicious meals with a little hard work and preparation. Don’t overlook this cut when you field dress a turkey, especially if you want to make some great turkey barbecue or slow cooker recipes!
To start removing the legs and thighs, locate the leg joints where the thighs meet the body. Use a sharp knife to cut through the skin around the joint, exposing the thigh bone. Press down on the outside of the turkey’s leg to help dislocate the joint and make it easier to cut through with your knife. Once the joint is free, you can cut through the remaining tissue to fully remove the leg and thigh from the body.
After removing the legs, trim off any excess fat or skin that you don’t plan to eat. The legs and thighs will require slow cooking, such as braising or roasting, to make the meat tender. Turkey legs and thighs are excellent when used for tacos, enchiladas, or pulled barbecue sandwiches! Similar to the breast, if you don’t plan to cook the legs immediately, store them on ice or freeze them as soon as possible to prevent spoilage.
Wild Turkey Recipes
Once you field dress a turkey, you’ll be ready to prepare it for a tasty meal! Wild turkey can be used in any recipe that you would use regular store-bought turkey for, or it can be used in place of chicken in many recipes! You can make preparing your turkey as simple or complex as you want, so get creative and try your hand at something new! Here are a few of our favorite wild turkey recipes:
For more delicious wild game recipes you can make at home, check out our Wild Table blog!
The process to field dress a turkey may seem like a daunting task for novice hunters, but by following these detailed steps, you can make the most out of your bird for cooking and displaying! Whether you’re keeping the beard, spurs, tail fan, or just harvesting the meat, it’s important to handle the turkey with care to ensure you make the most of your harvest. With practice and attention to detail, field dressing will become an essential skill for your turkey hunting adventures.
