How to butcher a wild turkey

[Big Bad]

Since there were zero wild turkeys around in my youth, hunting them was not something I ever learned about and so of course cooking them up was an even greater mystery. When they began to reappear here in the east, people's disappointed reports about roasting them in the style of domestic turkeys did not encourage me to hunt them but now this article from Project Upland magazine gives me hope.

Just the link here 'cause it's undoubtedly too long to post under the new rules, plus there are useful illustrations.

https://projectupland.com/wild-game-recipes/butcher-wild-turkey/?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=ThNVTe4DzR4tBOwydryKCh4GV10yvzxiDLvN4qcf4pI.XSVPXG

 

[canadian hunter312]

Nothing wrong with cooking a wild turkey just like a domestic bird. Problem is though that most people overcook turkey to 180 degrees or higher because they’re still doing things the way they stopped 20 years ago. Brine overnight and roast or smoke to 160 so it’ll hit 165 after resting a half hour.

Or treat yourself and deep fry a whole bird. Juicy deliciousness.

 

[Alex McKr]

canadianhunter312's advice is spot on. Most people don't seem to understand that wild turkey is much leaner than domestic birds. Very much like free-roaming chicken. So tend to way over cook them. Expect the breast meat in particular, to be drier than a domestic bird.
We generally roast our birds. Whole stuffed and roasted birds are juicy and delicious, if cooked at a lower temperature and over a longer period of time. Basting often, really helps. Also, keeping the bird covered helps retain moisture. Some folks oil-marinate the breast meat. But I haven't seen where that improved the eating at all. If I wanted a greasy bird, I'd buy a domestic one at the local grocery store.
Smoked turkey breast is especially tasty. Deep frying....though messy at times.... is likely the best method to bring out all the savoury juiciness.

 

[apu]

I like to cut them up into pieces like a chicken, a little batter/spices and the deep fry. It cooks evenly, moist and delicious.

 

[weimajack]

Doing jerky with wild turkey it's delicious.

Made confit with leg and ankle it's super.