Deer & Turkey Hunting Tips

This article provides a list of steps for proper field dressing of a wild turkey.

Turkey Field Dressing Steps:

• Place the turkey on its back on top of a large trash bag
• Locate the bottom tip of its breast bone.
• Locate the vent(anus) area.
• Make a 1/4 inch deep cut through the skin from the bottom tip of the breast bone downward to the vent.
• Try not to cut too deep as to cut the entrails.
• Separate the cut area large enough to insert your hand.
• Reach in and upwards and pull out the heart, lungs, and entrails.
• Cut around the vent in a circular motion to remove the intestines.
• Make a cut on the neck where the skin and feathers meet.
• Open up the cut and pull out the wind pipe, crop, and remaining intestines.
• Use a clean paper towel to wipe out all blood from the body cavity.
• Fill a Ziploc bag with ice and place inside body cavity to help with cooling.

Suggested Tools:    

• Sharp knife
• Large trash bag
• Rubber gloves
• Ziploc bag (gallon size)
• Clean paper towel
• Ice