We all know a lady maybe a wife, sister, girlfriend, mother, aunt and even a neighbor if need be. They go through nylons like we go through shells, so just ask for a old pair that they are going to throw out anyway. Now what you will need to do is cut about two (2) feet, the thigh area for a big bird like turkey or Geese and the calf area for smaller birds like ducks or grouse. Tie a knot in one end, when you harvest that bird take some paper towel and stuff down the beak that will stop the blood from running out. Now put the head first into the nylon stocking and just let it slip on down, now tie a knot at the other end. This will hold all of the feathers tight to the body and will prevent them from being broken. All your taxidermist will have to do is cut the knot at the head end and slide it out, i.e. perfect condition!!. Remember the better shape you bring it to your taxidermist the better it will come back to you.

If you are not going to take it to your taxidermist right away, than you will need to freeze it, so get a plastic garbage bag and put the turkey and stocking into the bag, wrap it and freeze it. What ever you do DO NOT GUT it!!!!!!!!! If you want the meat get it to the Taxidermist right away just keep it cool until you get it there.

Now is the time to go visit your taxidermist of choice, before you go hunting. Ask questions, like will he/she be available on the days you will be hunting, so you can bring the turkey to be skinned, (cause you want the meat). Ask to see reference pictures that he/she will use to mount your bird, if they say they don’t need reference pictures it is time to get out of there and look somewhere else. Also don’t be limited to your driving area, if you know a good taxidermist there is always Overnight mail. It always upset me to here someone say they have a bad mount but that is the only Taxidermist in my area. It may cost a little more for the shipping cost but the rewards are well worth the cost. You might want to ask how he/she will preserve the head i.e., skin mount, artificial, or freeze dried. I like the freeze dried method myself it eliminates the chance of bugs getting into the head, and the head hair stays intact.