Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: Camo on September 04, 2014, 10:58:34 PM

Title: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: Camo on September 04, 2014, 10:58:34 PM: 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?
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: huntingfool7 on September 05, 2014, 04:45:20 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: bobcat on September 05, 2014, 05:19:34 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: HunterStrait on September 05, 2014, 06:57:18 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: AspenBud on September 05, 2014, 09:21:59 AM: http://honest-food.net/2012/10/20/on-hanging-pheasants-2/ (http://honest-food.net/2012/10/20/on-hanging-pheasants-2/)
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: MacAttack on September 05, 2014, 11:34:30 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: birddogdad on September 05, 2014, 11:43:15 AM: Quote from: AspenBud on September 05, 2014, 09:21:59 AM
http://honest-food.net/2012/10/20/on-hanging-pheasants-2/ (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/ (http://corksoutdoors.com/blog/pheasants-hang-em-high/)
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: BiggLuke on September 05, 2014, 06:29:15 PM: :yeah:

...unless Magpies get to 'em
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: 270Shooter on September 05, 2014, 06:40:08 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: Camo on September 05, 2014, 07:43:29 PM: 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??
Title: Re: Transporting birds, cleaning question.
Post by: thequickfox on September 06, 2014, 08:47:25 AM: 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