Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Josh on March 26, 2009, 03:12:16 pm

Title: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: Josh on March 26, 2009, 03:12:16 pm

How do you remove the primary wing feathers from the wing on turkeys?  I was given some wings recently and haven't removed the feathers yet.  I kinda tugged on them a little, but haven't seriously started trying to pluck them yet.  Just kinda stuck them in my freezer for now.  Is there a special trick to it or just tug, tug tug? 

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: Pat B on March 26, 2009, 03:16:38 pm

Side cutters, linemans pliers, tin snips or I guess a bandsaw would work. :o

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: Josh on March 26, 2009, 03:26:01 pm

you can't just yank on em?  LOL ;D

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: madcrow on March 26, 2009, 03:50:20 pm

You could always split the skin around the quill with a razor and try to pull them.  The last time I tried yanking them out, I messed up three feathers and still ended up cutting them off.

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: markinengland on March 26, 2009, 04:28:01 pm

Feathers come out a lot easier if the wing is warm. This is certainly the case with fresh killed birds. If the bird has hung for a while dunking in near boiling water makes plucking a lot easier. This method is used in turkey farms here and the feathers are not harmed. Might be worth trying.
Mark in England

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: cracker on March 26, 2009, 04:45:17 pm

Thaw the wings and dunk the flesh part in boiling water for four or five minutes the feathers should loosen in that amount of time it will still take a hefty tug and a twist put they will come out fairly easily.Ron

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: madcrow on March 26, 2009, 04:51:44 pm

Well, learn something new every day.  I never thought of boiling them.  Turkey soup.

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: Pat B on March 26, 2009, 04:59:17 pm

Cutting them off is the quickest and easiest unless you want to save the quill.

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: FlintWalker on March 26, 2009, 07:08:41 pm

I saw 'em off right at the skin with my bandsaw. It's quick but messy.

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: sailordad on March 26, 2009, 09:04:50 pm

i use a side cutter pliers,just snip them at the skin nd you dont mess any of them up

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: mullet on March 26, 2009, 10:43:26 pm

 I do like Shannon, Bandsaw.

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: JackCrafty on March 27, 2009, 12:44:22 am

Interesting thread.

Never tried cutting turkey wings...but I've done quite a few goose wings.  I cut the feathers off the wing with a knife.  And I try to save as much of the quill as possible.

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: ricktrojanowski on March 27, 2009, 06:49:31 am

I cut them as close to the body with pruning shears.

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: Pappy on March 27, 2009, 09:42:50 am

Snip um with side cutters also,quick and easy,you can do 10 or15 pairs in a short time.I have 12 sets to do today and hopefully a lot more in the weeks to come ,Turkey season opens in the morning and all my friends save them for me. :) They think I am crazy and I guess the could be close to
right. ;) ;D
   Pappy

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: Josh on March 27, 2009, 10:21:09 am

Yeah, I have a few people who are saving the wings for me this year and of course they all think i am crazy too.   :)  I am gonna go home and try the side cutters suggestion i think.  Thanks for all the suggestions, its amazing how helpful people are on here, this forum is great!  I just wish i knew enough to help others out. 

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: Pat B on March 27, 2009, 10:23:45 am

Deftones, Your time will come! ;)

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: Pappy on March 27, 2009, 11:38:08 am

Ya that is all any of us ask in return, just pass it on. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: lowell on March 27, 2009, 10:41:45 pm

Bandsaw is how I get them!! ;)

Title: Re: Removing turkey primaries from the wing
Post by: brownhillboy on March 27, 2009, 11:26:09 pm

Side cutters for me too.  Quick, clean, simple.