Prepping grouse feathers for tying (new hunter)

[Finn]

Hi folks,

My buddies and I are planning on giving grouse hunting a go this fall season. Should we be successful, I would like to add some grouse feathers to my tying material collection. I've done some research, and I'm now familiar with the freezing/borax process for curing/drying the skin. Where I'm not so confident is the skinning process. Where do I cut? What portions of the bird are worth saving for tying? Should I skip the skinning process and just pluck some feathers into a ziploc? Given that we're on a flyfishing forum, I'm hoping some of you may have some experience with this subject.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

Fucking thunder chickens....

 

[Mike Cline]

As a taxidermist in my high school and college days it is a simple skinning job. Slice throat to asshole along the breast. Peel away the skin carefully to remove from carcass. Clip off legs and wings without takeing too many feathers from the pelt. Lay flat and try to remove any fat from the skin. Dry and cure.