Gobbler Nation

Any tips on how to prevent air bubbles? I’ve noticed that over time, an air gap forms and the clear scaley outer layer separates from the red meat underneath.

Here’s a leg from last year that shows what I’m talking about. My son killed a nice one and is after me to find out if there is some way to prevent that.

All I use is borax had some from 5 years ago still look great.

Same as above mine have lasted for quite awhile

Yeah that’s all I used on mine as well. Not sure why getting the the air gaps. Have some from a couple years ago that aren’t quite as bad...but still have some of the air gaps.

They shrink from drying and will not remain plump/ fleshy without injecting them. The skin beneath the scales will dry and shrink tight to the bone but the scales won't so the skin pulls away from the scales.

There are preservatives but they'll still shrink some. An epoxy will fill them and prevent shrinking but will require some effort and a little money. It can be messy. Borax does not prevent them from shrinking.

Google "injecting turkey feet". There should be some info there.

For really special ones (kid’s first, personal best,etc) you could consider metal clad preservation. It’s pricey, but end result is fine. I used Ironclad Metal Effects.

Thanks guys! I’ll check out the injecting info. Those metal clad are awesome! Mind me asking how much those set you back? Showed those to him and he’s loving them.

My boy is a lucky little guy with the special youth season in PA he’s been cleaning up. Killed his 3rd long beard (4th bird overall) this year, 1 1/4” Spurs, 9.5” beard that was fatter than any I’ve ever killed and hair shy of 20 lbs....He’s 10 and I’ve warned him he’ll be waiting a long time beat that one.

They’ve gone up. $50/foot, $185 on walnut board. Ironcladmetals.com. I did those four of mine and The Boy’s first. The Girl didn’t want to do that for her’s (she should have).

They make a 2 part injectable epoxy that dries hard as granite. Injecta-Cast $26.50 per pint kit from McKenzie Taxidermy Supply. You need a 20 gauge needle and syringe for it.