Turkey hunting rules question

[Dan-o]

So, I'm reading thru the turkey hunting pamphlet for a refresher.
If I read this correctly, I'd need to take turkey carcasses all the way home?
(I can't just take the breasts and drum sticks and leave the carcass in the woods?)

Is this true?
Here's the text from the pamphlet:

It is illegal to possess in the field or transport wild
turkey unless the fully feathered head and beard, if
present at harvest, are left attached to the carcass.

[Russ McDonald]

Looks like they changed it from last couple years and as usual confusing.  I have always had the head and beard when bringing a bird home.  I will have to ask

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[Russ McDonald]

The way it does read is you have to transport the carcass to.  Again that would seem stupid because I am thinking unless you hunt harvest and go straight home that works but it doesn't for those that spend a couple days out in the woods and are 6 hours from where you hunt to home.  We are doing our annual our annual turkey camp for first time turkey hunters first part of May and it is 3 days long.  A carcass is going to take up a lot more room in someone's cooler.

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[CaNINE]

And what does the exclusion statement of “if present at harvest” supposed to mean? 

[syoungs]

And what does the exclusion statement of “if present at harvest” supposed to mean?

Pretty sure thats saying if the bird had a beard, or a head, at the time of harvest then it needs to stay with it. isnt that clear as mud? 

[MeepDog]

And what does the exclusion statement of “if present at harvest” supposed to mean?

During the fall season you can shoot hens. The beard wouldnt be present on those birds so it's hard to take it with you.

[Russ McDonald]

What they took out is the wording after processing.  I have some connections that have already passed this up to get clarification, but I would imagine that, like the previous versions of this, which was called proof of sex is going to be open to interpretation by LE.

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[Stein]

What do you do if you blow the head off? 

It also reads like you can't let the meat leave your house after you process it, illegal transport of a snack stick?

[birddogdad]

when i travel around , i try to keep carcass whole. i bring a cooler specifically for birds... found dry ice is better than bagged ice but either works... i gut, hang to dry insides and then put on ice until home... tags attached and to date never been an issue that way but i get the confusion. Spring being toms makes this problematic if you dont save carcass.. other harvests have similar, Elk bits attached to quarter, salmon carcass to prove length ect... i guess what i am saying is put your feet in warden shoes and dont give them any reason to suspect poaching or nefarious intentions...

[Dan-o]

Thanks all.

I've always breasted and taken legs in the field.   I take the fan and the beard as well (proof of sex that ends up on my garage wall).    Leave the rest. 

I don't really need any extra turkey carcasses when I get home. 

[HikerHunter]

I've taken nearly all my turkeys home whole. My go-to is to gut in the field, then shove a frozen water bottle in the cavity and swap out as necessary. That's a much smaller cooler than for whole birds. But I'm usually doing day or single night trips.

[birddogdad]

Thanks all.

I've always breasted and taken legs in the field.   I take the fan and the beard as well (proof of sex that ends up on my garage wall).    Leave the rest. 

I don't really need any extra turkey carcasses when I get home.

ill take all the wings!!!!!

[Dan-o]

Thanks all.

I've always breasted and taken legs in the field.   I take the fan and the beard as well (proof of sex that ends up on my garage wall).    Leave the rest. 

I don't really need any extra turkey carcasses when I get home.

I'd argue that you do. Rub carcass with avocado  or olive oil, season to taste then place carcass on a sheet tray or in a big Dutch oven with some onions and carrots and roast at 400° for 30 or 40 minutes until starting to crisp up a bit. Then transfer everything into a big pot or same dutch oven and add garlic, thyme, rosemary, some peppercorns, and whatever other aromatics you like and simmer on low with lid on, adding liquid as needed for a good long while. Pick that carcass clean for your post stock making snack. Strain off all the solids and you've got an incredible stock for that turkey noodle soup you know have to make with those turkey legs

Thank you, sir.
This is DEFINITELY happening to some turkeys next month.

[Dan-o]

Thanks all.

I've always breasted and taken legs in the field.   I take the fan and the beard as well (proof of sex that ends up on my garage wall).    Leave the rest. 

I don't really need any extra turkey carcasses when I get home.

ill take all the wings!!!!!

Sorry I wasn't accurate in my original post.
I've never left a wing in the field.
All of mine get sent to Treekiller, but if he ever cries uncle I'll be glad to send them to you.   

[birddogdad]

Thanks all.

I've always breasted and taken legs in the field.   I take the fan and the beard as well (proof of sex that ends up on my garage wall).    Leave the rest. 

I don't really need any extra turkey carcasses when I get home.

ill take all the wings!!!!!

Sorry I wasn't accurate in my original post.
I've never left a wing in the field.
All of mine get sent to Treekiller, but if he ever cries uncle I'll be glad to send them to you.   

yeah i clip primaries and ship down to Ron

[NOCK NOCK]

Thanks all.

I've always breasted and taken legs in the field.   I take the fan and the beard as well (proof of sex that ends up on my garage wall).    Leave the rest. 

I don't really need any extra turkey carcasses when I get home.

Used to do that till I got checked at a road block station. They made a good point......how do they know if that beard/fan came from the meat you have? Could kill 1, eat or freezer, then kill additional with the same beard/fan.

and yes they let me go with no ticket.

[Ridgeratt]

[quote autho[/quote]

Used to do that till I got checked at a road block station. They made a good point......how do they know if that beard/fan came from the meat you have? Could kill 1, eat or freezer, then kill additional with the same beard/fan.

and yes they let me go with no ticket.
[/quote]




So much for innocent until proven guilty.

[baldopepper]

[quote autho

Used to do that till I got checked at a road block station. They made a good point......how do they know if that beard/fan came from the meat you have? Could kill 1, eat or freezer, then kill additional with the same beard/fan.

and yes they let me go with no ticket.
[/quote]




So much for innocent until proven guilty.
[/quote]

I  was also checked at the usual Miles Creston rd stop.  Had breats in the cooler with fan and beard separate. Younger Warden told me that legally I was out of compliance but he didn't feel like I was intentionally breaking the law or trying to hide anything so he sent me on my way with no ticket. I was friendly and cooperative, which he said he appreciated, and pretty sure if I'd acted like an a----hole he would have ticketed me.

[Russ McDonald]

So this is from my buddy and this is posted on the Washington State NWTF Facebook page.  He is the state chapter president and retired WDFW LEO
rpm posting.
Many hunters travel long distances and often stay several days in pursuit of Spring turkeys in our state. We continue to get asked "Do I have to keep my bird intact until I get home. I'm gone for a week and keeping a bird whole is just not feasible.
The 2025 Spring Turkey pamphlet, on page 2, states "It is illegal...the fully feathered head and beard must stay attached."
1st - kudos for reading the pamphlet, 
2nd - the pamphlet is a summary. (clearly stated on page 2). WAC 220-413-090(1) sets requirements for field identification of game birds and includes the language "It is unlawful to possess or transport game birds without a feathered wing or head attached to each carcass until the carcass is processed and/or stored for consumption, except:
It then lists exceptions to the above language regarding feathered wing or head.
(1)(c) "Turkeys: Where the fully feathered head and the beard, if present at harvest, must be left attached." (Not much for feathers on a male turkey head)
(1)(c) only modifies the parts that must be retained. It does not modify the "until the carcass is processed and/or stored for consumption" language. Once a carcass is "processed", those parts no longer are required, by WAC, to be attached. I'd strongly suggest you package the head and beard separately and keep them with the processed bird/parts to provide evidence of sex.
I spent 7 years in HQ as a Lt. With Enf. My duties included developing, writing and reviewing WAC language. I specifically asked WDFW Enforcement HQ staff in Olympia when this change came out last year if my reading of the WAC was correct. I was assured that it was. I've suggested WDFW should require those parts accompany any processed birds to deter illegal harvest, but so far they seem happy with the WAC in current form.
Good Luck! Hunt Smart! Stay Safe!

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[Karl Blanchard]

Not trying to throw shade at anyone but I'm a bit perplexed. Is it really that difficult to toss a bird on ice if you're on an extended trip Note like we are talking about a bull moose here. This reminds me of the proof of sex or boned out meat coming from another state. It's just not an issue.

Pull guts, chop off wings and feet, skin or pluck bird. Quarter if so desired. Chill with whatever your prefered method is. 15 min project. Now this massive creature can fit in a lunch box

[duckmen1]

Not trying to throw shade at anyone but I'm a bit perplexed. Is it really that difficult to toss a bird on ice if you're on an extended trip Note like we are talking about a bull moose here. This reminds me of the proof of sex or boned out meat coming from another state. It's just not an issue.

Pull guts, chop off wings and feet, skin or pluck bird. Quarter if so desired. Chill with whatever your prefered method is. 15 min project. Now this massive creature can fit in a lunch box

Understandable reasoning no doubt. But there are circumstances that make it a bit difficult. Such as if one has a very small call. Taking a trip with 2 people. Fully loaded with camp, gear, food and coolers, and clothes, etc. taking extra coolers along for just throwing a carcass in is not feasible.
But what I have found is breaking down a carcass in such way can accomplish the rules and minimize space.

Carefully breast out the bird leaving skin attached on half of one breast that connects to the head and beard. Cut the head/ neck from the carcass. I put the meat in a zip lock with the head sticking out of the ziplock. Putting the head in a small game bag or zip lock and zip tying that side snug shut to minimize contact to the meat.
Take any wing meat section as desired, cut off drumsticks and leaving leg attached showing extra proof of sex with spurs on leg. Putting drumsticks into a ziplock.
Cut off turkey fan if desired to take home.
Wrap in cloth

Put all snuggly in a cooler which minimizes space take.

Having good harvest with a group of two can be 4 whole birds to transfer and if circumstances limit space doing this follows regulation while minimizing needed space to be taken by a wasted carcass.

Not everyone in the woods is driving a big truck and some may be limited on space but with a little extra care it can be accomplished and still follow regulation.

[Dan-o]

Not trying to throw shade at anyone but I'm a bit perplexed. Is it really that difficult to toss a bird on ice if you're on an extended trip Note like we are talking about a bull moose here. This reminds me of the proof of sex or boned out meat coming from another state. It's just not an issue.

Pull guts, chop off wings and feet, skin or pluck bird. Quarter if so desired. Chill with whatever your prefered method is. 15 min project. Now this massive creature can fit in a lunch box

You clearly shoot smaller turkeys than I do.
I see a pic of a Tom with milk on it's lips in your future.   

It's  not a big deal to me.
I just never did it that way before. 

[92xj]

“Until it is processed”

I’m not sure what your processing is for turkey, but mine is breast out and throw in bag, legs and thighs off and thrown in bag.    Those are now processed and ready to cook. 

[hunter399]

Not trying to throw shade at anyone but I'm a bit perplexed. Is it really that difficult to toss a bird on ice if you're on an extended trip Note like we are talking about a bull moose here. This reminds me of the proof of sex or boned out meat coming from another state. It's just not an issue.

Pull guts, chop off wings and feet, skin or pluck bird. Quarter if so desired. Chill with whatever your prefered method is. 15 min project. Now this massive creature can fit in a lunch box

You clearly shoot smaller turkeys than I do.
I see a pic of a Tom with milk on it's lips in your future.   

It's  not a big deal to me.
I just never did it that way before.

I was thinking turkey carcass loin cloth.
Karl idea sounds better.
I'm never too far from the turkey hunting grounds ,so no problem here.
Before you know,bird flu will be a thing,rules will change.

[TheStovePipeKid]

When I first started hunting turkey we did a gut and skin and threw the whole thing in the cooler. I eventually started doing breast, thigh and giblets. The last few times I went back to gut and skin because I really like to deep fry my turkeys whole, and they had updated the verbiage about the head being attached. I've always kept the head with the meat if I processed it in the field, though I was never stopped at any point while in transport.