How do I remove flight feathers from Canada geese ?

[Kevin the grey]

Any large bird really . I most often use shears to cut them off where they protrude from the base . As I was only using them for fletching it worked great . I want to make a quill pen and maybe use other feathers for decoration . I tried just pulling them out . I screw up the feather plumes and still not get an undamaged quill .

 

[Evil Eye Earl]

Cut around the base of the quill before pulling.
It is easier to pull out a feather of a fresh kill
that has not been dressed.
You can add to damaged feathers by trimming
off the the damaged area and inserting the top
of another feather into the hollow of the damaged feather...use super glue
to hold in place.I have repaired many a Hawk and Macaw
tail and wing feathers this way....

 

[Watchful]

Not sure about Canadian law, but here in the States they're protected birds, incredibly. All 700 million of them.

Pulling feathers off live ones would constitute harrassment, and of course killing them would be prosecuted.

Unless you get your *dog* to do it...

 

[Kevin the grey]

Canada geese/snow geese are blown out of the sky quite regularly here . Liberal catch limits . Are you sure they are protected where you are ? Is it due to the time of year they would be there ?

I don,t hunt them and rely upon buddies that do .

I will try to get them as fresh as I can . Thats a good tip on splicing them together .

 

[Evil Eye Earl]

Not sure about Canadian law, but here in the States they're protected birds, incredibly. All 700 million of them.

Pulling feathers off live ones would constitute harrassment, and of course killing them would be prosecuted.

Unless you get your *dog* to do it...

Fresh kill.
Canadian Geese.....Canada Goose,lesser or greater has a hunting season in the States....and you can use the feathers from them and you may have them taxidermied "stuffed".

 

[Watchful]

Fresh kill.
Canadian Geese.....Canada Goose,lesser or greater has a hunting season in the States....and you can use the feathers from them and you may have them taxidermied "stuffed".

I'm not aware there is any hunting season for them anywhere in the States. A quick check seems to verify that they're nationally protected except in very special circumstances. Your local laws may differ, but they don't seem to say so. Correct me if I'm wrong, but please cite a source. (NEVER MIND--I found numerous allowances all over the place, with quotas, without, etc. I withdraw the concern!)

Two things I blatantly did not know:

1) If your dog kills one, it's no accident--you can be fined.

2) There is a wisely-thought-out movement afoot to change their status, as a significant number of them no longer migrate. And this movement is definitely getting stronger and is being taken seriously.

As someone in their "flight path," I'm happy to see their numbers substantially whittled to a more manageable amount.

 

[Kevin the grey]

I do not see a concern as to whether they migrate or not . Seasons would just be adjusted where necessary . As for people not wanting them to be hunted ?
There are people who will complain about anything . If the sun came up they would find something to complain about .

 

[Evil Eye Earl]

To hunt,or is it harvest since you are in a blind unless you are jump shooting them.Have a valid hunting license from the State you are hunting them in along with a Federal duck stamp and if required a State duck stamp (migratory waterfowl)you must sign your signature across the face of the stamps..Follow all local,state and federal laws on migratory birds wheter they migrate or not.

 

[hollowdweller]

I have found with stuff like ducks and geese, unless you dip them in boiling water almost as soon as you kill them it is nearly impossible to pluck them.

I have never been duck hunting, but when I have killed and eaten muscovy ducks and my friend also confirms this when he kills and eats geese, you are way better off to just skin them and then cook them carefully so the meat doesn't get too dry. It is nearly impossible to get the pin feathers out once the bird has been dead a while.

We don't kill and eat poultry much on the farm anymore due to time constraints, but I always loved butchering turkeys. The feathers came off so easy compared to anything else, even chickens.

 

[jdrew614]

I do not see a concern as to whether they migrate or not .

Here in NW Indiana, the issue with non-migratory Canada Geese (Canadian geese are any species of goose living in Canada ) is that they are over-abundant and have become a hazard (health and safety) and nuisance in many urban environments. We have a "nuisance season" where the limits are very liberal well before the migratory geese come through.

Canada Geese are a protected migratory waterfowl, but are also legal to hunt when you follow the rules, lots 'o those!

As far as cleaning/plucking, I've had no problem getting the flight feathers out intact. You need to hold them carefully so as not to damage the feather, but it can be done.

The best way to remove pinfeathers/down/etc. is to drizzle or dip the plucked bird with hot parafin, quickly dip it in cold water to harden the wax and keep from cooking the bird and then peel off the wax. Just like your lady's legs, you're left with a nice smooth bird. I prefer to roast them with the skin on, much easier to keep them from drying out...

J-