Blue Legs
Songster
- Mar 4, 2021
- 95
- 158
- 101
Happy almost thanksgiving everyone. The time has come for me to harvest the last of my turkeys, a broad breasted black that probably weighs around 20lbs. I have been very disappointed in my turkey dispatches so far. I want to make sure this last one goes better so I'd love some advice. I'll describe what hasn't worked below.
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION WARNING
The birds were led to a private area away from the rest of the poultry. The bird was made calm through gentle talking and stroking for several minutes and then placed head first into a feed sack which had a hole cut in a corner for the head and neck to poke through. The bird was kept calm, in the bag, straddled, and then a .22lr revolver was used for a shot to the back of the head. And this is where things didn't go right. I don't think everyone needs a graphic description of it, but it was distressing to both me and the bird. This happened twice in a row, despite studying turkey skull anatomy and what I would regard as excellent shot placement and more than one shot from contact distance.
Could someone please suggest an alternative method of dispatch? I'm leaning towards head removal, as I don't feel bleeding them out is something I want to do without stunning somehow. I have done dozens of chickens and various fowls as a hunter, so I'm not squeamish, I just know there has to be a better way than what I'v done so far
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION WARNING
The birds were led to a private area away from the rest of the poultry. The bird was made calm through gentle talking and stroking for several minutes and then placed head first into a feed sack which had a hole cut in a corner for the head and neck to poke through. The bird was kept calm, in the bag, straddled, and then a .22lr revolver was used for a shot to the back of the head. And this is where things didn't go right. I don't think everyone needs a graphic description of it, but it was distressing to both me and the bird. This happened twice in a row, despite studying turkey skull anatomy and what I would regard as excellent shot placement and more than one shot from contact distance.
Could someone please suggest an alternative method of dispatch? I'm leaning towards head removal, as I don't feel bleeding them out is something I want to do without stunning somehow. I have done dozens of chickens and various fowls as a hunter, so I'm not squeamish, I just know there has to be a better way than what I'v done so far