Traveling for Turkeys

[soky]

 This will be my first year traveling in an attempt to kill a different subspecies of Turkey. I've done so much research for the hunt as far as the actual hunt goes and the only thing I'm having a problem figuring out is how to go about it if I am fortunate enough to kill one. Do any of you guys have any tips or tricks on how to transport a turkey from another state? Cooler suggestions and anything else you can give me would be appreciated. Also I plan on getting the bird mounted IF im that lucky. Thanks in advance!

[J-Shaped]

First piece of advice I'd give is to check the state laws regarding legal transport after harvest. Some require that you leave a leg/legs attached, etc.

From there, a field dressed bird will last a long time ON ice. By that I mean keep the bird dry and don't let it sit in any water. If transporting a whole  picked or skinned bird, keep it bagged in a large trash bag to help with this. If breasted out or cut up, gallon ziplock freezer bags work well. But as stated above, check game laws and tag/transport requirements.

As far as transporting one to mount, here's a good link.

http://birdsonly.homestead.com/BirdsOnlyGameCare.html

[WW]

 I froze mine and packed it up in a strong cardboard box and shipped it to Cally Morris at Hazel Creek on UPS 2nd day air. Just put two pieces of cardboard over the tailfan so the feathers won't get damaged.

[JK Spurs]

What's the distance of travel? On the trips where I flew, I had the local taxidermist in Florida and Oklahoma call my taxidermist in PA and they discussed the best way to pack my birds and shipped them UPS...had no issues and the birds turned out perfect. I drove to Nebraska one year and we transported 4 back in a large cooler. Threw the birds in garbage bags and packed it with ice. We stopped once and added ice...that worked out fine as well.

[bigbird]

When I hunted with a friend of mine he had an inverter in his truck and put a small chest freezer in the back of his truck.

[soky]

I have about a 10 hour drive. I like the idea about finding a taxidermist there to send it back to my taxidermist.

[JK Spurs]

I have about a 10 hour drive. I like the idea about finding a taxidermist there to send it back to my taxidermist.

Only problem is it will cost a few bucks. The taxidermist skinned the birds, froze them, packed them in dry ice and then shipped UPS next day. The birds arrived in PA still frozen. It cost me about $125 to get it to my guy but at the end of the day it was worth it to me.

[turkeyfoot]

I have about a 10 hour drive. I like the idea about finding a taxidermist there to send it back to my taxidermist.

10 hour drive is nothing freeze it solid put in cooler and it will be fine till you get home put paper towel in mouth after killing to keep blood off feathers put it head first in large pair panty hose keeps feathers in line without ruffling freeze solid and your good to go do not gut the bird. Save the cash on transfer cost you can buy good cooler for those prices

[JK Spurs]

I have about a 10 hour drive. I like the idea about finding a taxidermist there to send it back to my taxidermist.

10 hour drive is nothing freeze it solid put in cooler and it will be fine till you get home put paper towel in mouth after killing to keep blood off feathers put it head first in large pair panty hose keeps feathers in line without ruffling freeze solid and your good to go do not gut the bird. Save the cash on transfer cost you can buy good cooler for those prices

Agree... I only used a taxidermist when I flew. I have a 15 hour drive this year, and if I'm successful, I'll be transporting in a cooler.

[Gobspur]

Bird I killed out of state last year I just threw it in a trash bag whole, and put it in a large 120 cooler on top of bagged ice.  6 hour drive home and then put in my deep freeze.  Took to taxidermist the next weekend.  I didn't field dress it or anything.