Transporting birds, cleaning question.

[Camo]

Most of my trips will be 3-4 days, assuming I can hit anything, I realize I need to keep a feathered head attached, per the regs. In my previous limited waterfowl experience I have typically breasted my birds the same day as harvest. I am a bit anal about clean/cold preservation. I like Iceman's post above but this probably won't work (per the regs)until I get home. Does everyone clean their birds and throw feathers/skin/head on ice or is there a better way?

[huntingfool7]

Birds don't spoil that quickly.  If you put them on ice, breast up, they would be fine for 3-4 days before any cleaning.

[bobcat]

On my extended bird hunting trips I have always cleaned my birds when I got back to camp. No guts and no feathers left, so when I get home they're ready for the freezer.

[HunterStrait]

I clean my doves/pheasants/quail/grouse at home after hunting. Just put them in a bag on some ice and you're good to go. Its easier to breast them out when the meat is cold.

[AspenBud]

http://honest-food.net/2012/10/20/on-hanging-pheasants-2/

[MacAttack]

I'm typically hunt weekends and do not stay home, I am gone the whole time. I have never had a bad bird when I shoot it on Friday and clean it on Sunday when I get home. I then soak in salt water over night and either eat or vacuum seal the next day.

[birddogdad]

http://honest-food.net/2012/10/20/on-hanging-pheasants-2/

hang 'em
no worries, just not in direct sunlight!!!

http://corksoutdoors.com/blog/pheasants-hang-em-high/

[BiggLuke]

 


...unless Magpies get to 'em

[270Shooter]

If it's cool I'll leave them outside as long as they aren't in direct sunlight, it also helps to pluck the breast feathers to cool the meat faster. I've left ducks 3 days before cleaning them and they eat fine. They are actually easier to clean as well.

[Camo]

Thanks for the input everyone. The articles were interesting, looks like a guy can pretty much keep them intact for a few days. Now I just need to figure out how to regulate my ice chest at 50 degrees??

[thequickfox]

I just bought a Coleman ice-less ice chest.  it plugs into the cigarette lighter on my hunting rig.  ill be using the *censored* out this thing for bird hunting and fishing.  cabellas has them on sale for $112.00