treating a fresh pheasant wings

[stebrfc]

i was given some fresh pheasant wings and Feathers would i have to treat them before i can use them and if so what would i have to do any help would be great thanks ste

[stevekale]

FAQ - Processing Fly Tying Materials at Home

You need to cut the length of the "forearm" and clear out as much of the fat and flesh as possible. Then treat with borax (Boots used to sell it but no longer - you can buy it on eBay). The above link gives lots of pointers.

[stebrfc]

thanks for the info

[megaflies]

Originally Posted by stebrfc

i was given some fresh pheasant wings and Feathers would i have to treat them before i can use them and if so what would i have to do any help would be great thanks ste

Easiest way for the loose feathers would be to wash them a few times in hot soapy water.
Then put into a pan of boiling water for about 5 minutes to kill anything that is there.
Dry them in a box or wrap in kitchen roll and put on a radiator.

When there dry stick them into grip seal bags.

Wings....

Make sure you have removed all the meaty bits and bone, then dip in borax and leave to dry for about a week or two. As long as you have got all the meat and bones off the wing it should not smell.

job done

[stebrfc]

Originally Posted by megaflies

Easiest way for the loose feathers would be to wash them a few times in hot soapy water.
Then put into a pan of boiling water for about 5 minutes to kill anything that is there.
Dry them in a box or wrap in kitchen roll and put on a radiator.

When there dry stick them into grip seal bags.

Wings....

Make sure you have removed all the meaty bits and bone, then dip in borax and leave to dry for about a week or two. As long as you have got all the meat and bones off the wing it should not smell.

job done

will do that now thanks for the info just started so need to read up

[troutheaven]

I just air-dry them as they are for a couple of months (the airing cupboard is fine). Then stick them in a zip-bag with some moth repellent. Job done.

[arkle]

Do NOT use a naptha based product for moth repellant though, it's a carcinogen. It falls on carpets etc & can harm pets/children. Use a safe organic spray directly all over any produce from the wild after you've cleaned away all the meat/fat/tissue & micro-waved ot 2 x for 20/30 secs. then put it into a clean ziptop bag.

[megaflies]

Originally Posted by arkle

Do NOT use a naptha based product for moth repellant though, it's a carcinogen. It falls on carpets etc & can harm pets/children. Use a safe organic spray directly all over any produce from the wild after you've cleaned away all the meat/fat/tissue & micro-waved ot 2 x for 20/30 secs. then put it into a clean ziptop bag.

Scared me there for a minute, last thing i need is to get cancer from using napthalene crystals, I got quite a bit in the house.

But after searching the net found out i am at more risk of catching cancer from consuming alcohol or sawing a peice of wood.

Napthalene is way down the list as Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens...in my books means they are probably not sure but we will list it anyway.

Check the link below.
Known and Probable Human Carcinogens

[stebrfc]

thank you all for all your help sorted now

[alexflyfisher1990]

i cleaned mine, cut the bit off that is attatched to the bird, so its just the feather part left, then let them dry out naturally in a dry place