Preserving turkey wings is a great way to keep memorable hunting trophies or make decorative pieces. With proper preparation preserved turkey wings can last for many years. This article will explain the step-by-step process for preserving turkey wings, from harvesting to final display.
Supplies Needed
- Sharp knife
- Wire brush or wire wheel (optional)
- Borax or salt
- Cotton string or thread
- Needle
- Bucket or large bowl
- Liquid preservative (optional)
- Drying rack or surface
Step 1: Harvest and Prepare the Wings
Start by harvesting your turkey and carefully removing the wings. Cut through the skin and meat to detach the wings at the shoulder joint. Be careful not to damage or cut the feathers.
Once removed lay the wings out on a clean surface and inspect for any damage or imperfections. Look for broken feathers or bloody areas that need trimming. Carefully trim any damaged portions with a sharp knife or scissors.
Step 2: Remove Meat, Fat and Glands
Turn the wings over to expose the underside. Using a sharp knife, cut along the length of the wing to open it up. You’ll need to remove all meat, fat and oil glands from both wings.
Scrape off any fat or membrane tissue. Be thorough – any remaining tissue or oil will rot and cause odor. Use a wire brush or wheel to help remove fat from the wing skin. Go slowly to avoid tearing.
Once all meat, fat and glands are removed, wash the wings with mild soap and water. Be sure to rinse away all traces of blood and tissue. Pat dry with paper towels.
Step 3: Apply Preservative and Borax
There are two options for preserving turkey wings: dry preserving with borax or wet preservation with chemicals like formaldehyde.
For dry preserving, liberally sprinkle borax powder over all meat-free areas. Rub it in to fully coat. The borax will help dry and preserve the skin.
For wet preserving, inject the wing tips with a liquid preservative like formaldehyde. Use a syringe or special injecting tool to fully saturate the ends of the wing bones.
Many taxidermists recommend using both borax and liquid preservative for the best results.
Step 4: Shape the Wings
Once preservatives are applied, it’s time to position the wings. Lay them out flat and arrange the feathers how you want them displayed.
Place heavy books or other weights on the wings to hold them in the desired shape as they dry. The goals is to get the wings to stiffen into position.
Fold the wings at the joints and use string or thread to hold everything together. Tie several knots along the bones to help maintain the wing shapes.
Step 5: Allow to Dry
Hang or lay out the shaped wings on a drying rack or board. Make sure they are in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight.
Let the wings dry completely – this can take 4-6 months. Check periodically and look for any beetles or bugs that may need removing. Once fully dried, the skin will be stiff and the feathers firmly set.
If any feathers come loose, carefully glue them back in place with superglue gel. Use drying accelerant spray to quicken the bonding process.
Step 6: Final Mounting
The preserved wings are now ready for final mounting! First, trim off any remaining string or thread. Use fine grit sandpaper to gently smooth any rough bone edges.
Apply clear acrylic sealer to the wings for added protection and shine. Once sealed, they are ready for mounting on a plaque or hung on the wall.
For decorative plaques, carefully arrange the wings and glue them securely in place. Add a hanger or hooks to display the finished piece. For wall mounting, use specialized plaque hangers attached to the backside of the wings.
Tips for Successful Turkey Wing Preservation
- Work in a clean, insect-free area to prevent maggots in the wings.
- Remove every bit of fat, tissue and glands to prevent odor and rotting.
- Apply borax thoroughly to absorb moisture and fat from the skin.
- Use wing weights to hold feathers in the desired shape as they dry.
- Let wings dry completely before final mounting, at least 4-6 months.
- Check periodically for bugs and remove any infestations found on the wings.
- Use acrylic sealer and re-glue any loose feathers for long-lasting results.
Preserving your own turkey wings is very rewarding. With careful preparation and drying, you can create beautiful hunting trophies or decorative art pieces. Follow these steps for properly preserved turkey wings that will last for generations.
How to Prepare/Mount Turkey Wings for Display
FAQ
How do you protect turkey wings?
How to preserve bird wings?
How long does turkey wings last?
How to dry out a turkey wing?
How do you preserve bird wings & tails?
Bird wings and tails need to be fresh to preserve them as whole parts. There are two methods I know of to preserve whole wings and tails: If fresh enough to preserve the entire wing for a fan, the best way is to soak the part for two weeks in a saturated salt solution (pickling salt or the driveway salt works well and is inexpensive).
How do you keep a turkey tail from slamming?
Even if you are not into grand slamming, a turkey tail or wing makes an attractive wall mount for the den or trophy room. To preserve a wing, cut it off close to the breast, leaving some of the shoulder plumage attached. You can remove any excess shoulder skin later. Cut the skin open along the underside of the wing.
How do you keep a bird wing from stiffening?
Inject the wing section at the tip with liquid preservative and apply borax to the raw parts. When all the flesh has been removed and dry preservative applied, spread the wing the way you want it to dry and place objects such as books on the large feathers to hold the wing in position as it stiffens.
How do you Dry a bird’s wings & feet?
Walter Hill, the 84 year old Mohawk medicine man I know, told me that the old way of drying the wings and feet of birds is to sprinkle a small pile of cornmeal on the exposed flesh. I had brought him a bird that had been killed on the highway. Its head was smashed and one foot was broken.
How do you display a wild turkey?
A wild turkey’s legs, spurs, beard and plumage are decorative when properly preserved and require minimal space for displaying. Spread tails and wings look good on a den wall and small parts such as spurs and beards can be preserved and put away for safekeeping in display boxes or displayed in shadow boxes.
Are turkey tails good wall trophies?
The wings and tail reveal the main color differences among the wild turkey subspecies, which makes them especially good wall trophies for your grand slam. Even if you are not into grand slamming, a turkey tail or wing makes an attractive wall mount for the den or trophy room.