First step to making a high-quality turkey mount starts in the field! After you have harvested your turkey, you will want to handle the bird with care, do not grab or carry the bird by the neck instead carry it by its feet. Do not step on the bird's head.  

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When bringing your bird in from the field be sure to handle with care and try to avoid ruffling the feathers as much as possible, when transporting your bird in a vehicle we recommend placing it in a large cooler or in a truck bed with a cover. You want to avoid the feathers being ruffled by the wind as you travel home. 

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DO NOT SKIN OR GUT THE BIRD! Simply take some paper towel and dampen it with some water, wrap the dampened paper towel around the bird's head, next place a plastic zip lock bag over the wrapped birds head and use a zip tie, string or light gauge wire to close off the open end of the bag. The goal is to contain any blood coming out of the bird's head within the paper towel and plastic bag, so it doesn't run down onto the birds' feathers

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Next you will want to double bag the whole bird in trash bags and freeze it

solid. typically, it takes 24-36 hours to freeze a whole turkey solid. Once the bird is completely frozen place it in a cooler or plastic storage tote big enough that you can lay the bird flat inside without bending the tail fan. Add bubble wrap, towels or packing paper to ensure the bird doesn't roll around inside the tote or cooler. 

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Be sure to tape the tote or cooler shut! 

 

DO NOT SHIP BY USPS

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instead ship by UPS ground or UPS 3 day select, be sure to ship your bird on a Monday or Tuesday morning. The goal is to ensure your bird arrives at our shop within four days or preferably three.  

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Before shipping your bird, please be sure to contact us so we know your bird is coming, and please send your contact information, name and a half down payment in the form of a check payable to Hooks & Tines Taxidermy with the bird.

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We recommend simply writing your information on paper and placing it inside an envelope along with your half down payment check. Or you can simply print off and fill out our turkey mount request form and place the form in an envelope along with the half down payment check.  Half down payments may also be paid over the phone with a card. All card transactions have a 3.5% transaction fee and all half down payments are non-refundable.     

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Once your bird is complete, we strongly recommend coming to our shop for pickup. However, we will crate and ship your bird back to you by freight or a taxidermy shipping specialist if you prefer. 

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Please call or email us for a quote on shipping your bird back to you.

Phone: (989) 488-0334 

Email: theroostingtree4701@gmail.com