Spring – a time when everything ‘comes back to life’ after being dormant all winter. Temperatures increase, insect populations rise, and thundering sounds of gobbles fill the air. The anticipation to get back out in the field brings excitement to spring turkey hunters.
If you are anything like me, I can’t wait to chase gobblers and work on filling my tags. However, I have run out of wall space to proudly display the successes to come. Not everyone is going to full body mount a turkey, hang a spread on the wall, or even keep the tail fan. There is a fairly easy way to remember the hunt and keep display space to a minimum – keep only the beard and spurs.
This DIY method of preservation is fairly simple and with only a minimal time investment. The difficulty level is low. You will want to read the steps first before butchering your bird so you know what to keep. If you are short on time during season, store legs and beards in the freezer until you have time to start the process. I just finished mine from last spring’s harvest.
2) Freeze legs in a ziplock bag for at least 24 hours. This step can be skipped, but I would recommend it because I find frozen legs result in cleaner cuts.
3) Use a fine-tooth saw to remove the section of the leg with the spur. I make cuts approximately ¼” above and below the spur. A vise or clamp aids in holding the leg in place while cutting. A utility knife can be used to clean up any rough edges left by the saw.
4) Clean leg section under running water making sure to remove the bone marrow from the center of the bone. Insert a toothpick to help with this. (photo 2)
1) Find the base of the beard on the bird and gently pull to make the skin around the beard tight. It may help to pluck some feathers around the beard to get a better view of the base of the beard.
2) With a sharp knife remove the beard by cutting the skin around the base of the beard.
3) If the beard is dirty, wash it in warm water with dish soap and rinse thoroughly. Dry the beard by patting it with a towel and using a hairdryer to finish the job.
4) If freezing for later, place in the same bag of legs and put it in the freezer.
5) Place the base of the beard in borax for a couple of weeks to dry and preserve.
I keep the hull from the load that actually shot the turkey, you don’t have to.
1) Cut the plastic portion of an empty hull at the edge of the brass using a saw or utility knife
2) Remove the shell’s primer by placing the nail or punch on the inside face of the primer and tapping with a hammer. The brass should be placed on something that has a hole for the primer to be pushed through. A ¾” wide ring made from the plastic part of the hull will work.
1) Tie a loop in the leather lace – lace can be substituted with twine or string depending on the look you are after.
2) Thread the spurs on to the lace followed by the brass. Once the brass is in place, I add a dab of hot-glue on the inside of the brass to hold the lace in place.
3) Insert the beard into the end of brass and fill with hot-glue to hold the beard in place.
Turkey feet are often discarded after hunting or purchasing a whole turkey. However, with a little effort, these bony feet can become an interesting decorative or culinary ingredient. Preserving turkey feet properly ensures they will remain intact, odor-free and ready for display or cooking.
Why Preserve Turkey Feet?
Here are some great reasons to preserve turkey feet
-
Decoration – The claws and scales make for unique natural decorations They can be displayed as hunting trophies or used in arts and crafts projects
-
Stock and Broth – Turkey feet are full of collagen. Preserved feet can be simmered to make rich, gelatinous broths and stocks.
-
Snacks – Properly preserved feet can be cooked and eaten as a snack, popular in many African and Chinese dishes.
-
Dog Treats – Dried turkey feet are enjoyed by dogs as hearty, long-lasting chews.
Supplies Needed
Preserving turkey feet is simple with just a few supplies:
-
Turkey feet – Freshly removed from the turkey. Plan to preserve within 24 hours.
-
Non-iodized salt – Coarse kosher or sea salt works best.
-
Container with lid – A plastic tub or cardboard box.
-
Cheesecloth & rubber bands – To wrap feet after salting.
-
Borax (optional) – Helps preserve and dry out the feet.
Step-by-Step Preservation Process
Follow these steps for properly preserved turkey feet:
1. Clean the Feet
Rinse the raw turkey feet under cold water. Use a stiff brush to scrub off any dirt, blood or debris stuck to the skin or claws. Pat the feet dry.
2. Remove Excess Flesh
Using a sharp knife, carefully trim off any excess skin, fat or flesh from the feet. Try to leave tendons and ligaments intact.
3. Apply First Coat of Salt
Sprinkle a generous layer of salt all over each foot, covering all surfaces. Pack salt into cavities and between the toes.
4. Store in a Container
Place the salt-packed feet in a plastic tub or cardboard box. Pour in more salt until the feet are buried in about 1 inch of salt. Cover and store for 24 hours.
5. Rewash and Reapply Salt
After 24 hours, remove the feet and rinse off the salt under cold water. Pat them dry, then repeat steps 3-4 and reapply a fresh coat of salt all over the feet.
6. Optional Borax Treatment
For an extra preservative, dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of borax per quart of water. Soak the feet in this solution for 2-3 hours. Rinse and reapply salt.
7. Final Salting
Bury the feet in fresh salt again. Leave for 5-7 days this time, until the feet feel stiff and completely dried out.
8. Air Dry
Remove feet from the salt and brush off any excess. Discard the used salt. Place feet on a drying rack or hang them to air dry for 1-2 weeks until hardened.
9. Prepare for Use or Display
Once totally dried, the turkey feet are ready to be used in cooking, craft projects or displayed as decorations. Enjoy your preserved turkey feet!
Tips for Best Results
Follow these tips for properly preserved turkey feet:
-
Work in a cool, dry area to prevent spoilage.
-
Use cheesecloth and rubber bands to wrap feet if drying out of container.
-
Check feet daily during drying; watch for damp salt or mold growth.
-
Discard any feet that smell bad or appear slimy – they may have spoiled.
-
For display, use clear coat spray paint to further preserve and avoid deterioration.
Preserving your own turkey feet is a gratifying do-it-yourself project for hunters, cooks and crafters alike. With the proper technique, these bony appendages can become lasting culinary and decorative items to enjoy for years to come.
Simple Preservation of a Turkey Foot for Display
FAQ
What do turkeys use their feet for?
Do you leave the plastic on the turkey feet?