You have successfully claimed your spring turkey and the next step is to clean and butcher the bird. There are some easy methods to removing the primary meat from a turkey that requires minimal effort. See step by step details in the video, How To Butcher a Wild Turkey After The Hunt, below.
How To Butcher A Wild Turkey
Step 1: Remove the beard, tail fan.
Step 2: Create a small notch in the skin above the breast region and pull the "Pajamas" off the bird, down to the legs portion. Pull the legs apart and crack them at the bone to create more work space as you butcher the bird.
Step 3: Working along the breast bone, use a small sharp knife to peel away the meat. Stop when you see the inner cuts (stay above the bone).
Step 4: Flip the bird around so the opposite breast is facing you and repeat.
Step 5: Clean your knife and hone before moving onto the legs of the bird.
Step 6: Start on the inside of the skin, and pull the blade outward as you cut away at the skin, up to the joint of the elbow. From there, alternate between pulling at the skin, and using your sharp blade to free the skin from around the bird leg.
Step 7: Once the foreleg is exposed, continue to work down toward the thigh by pulling the skin away from the bird.
Step 8: From the inside of the thigh, run your blade along the contour of the meat, and stay above the inner guts (don't cut in too deep).
Step 9: Repeat on the opposite leg.
Step 10: Remove the Spurs.
