Wild turkey carrier

Abstract

The invention is a specialized carrier for a wild turkey taken by a hunter. After shooting the wild turkey, the hunter simply removes the carrier from his pocket, fastens the carrier to the neck and feet of the turkey and then places the carrier over the shoulder to transport the turkey. The wild turkey is a heavy bulky bird and when carried in the traditional arm over shoulder position, the hunter can experience discomfort to the arm. This discomfort to the arm will require the hunter to take frequent rest stops if carrying the turkey long distances. The wild turkey carrier solves this problem by placing the weight of the turkey on the hunter's shoulder. The wild turkey carrier functions similar to the use of a shoulder strap on a heavy carry bag where the shoulder strap is the wild turkey carrier and the carry bag is the wild turkey. This simple concept allows the hunter to use both hands to safely carry a gun and other hunting equipment. The wild turkey carrier is comprised of a heavy shoulder strap with a heavy lace fastened to both ends and with a handle on one of the ends.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Reference to Prior Application: Provisional Patent Application

[0002] U.S. Application No.: 60/268,535

[0003] Filing Date: Feb. 15, 2001

[0004] Name of Applicant: Russell O. Koxlien

[0005] Title of Application: Wild Turkey Carrier

[0006] Relationship of the Application: This application was the Provisional Patent Application for the Utility Patent Application being filed at this time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention relates to a specialized carrier for a wild turkey taken by a hunter. More specifically, it relates to a specialized carrier that substantially improves the ability of the hunter to transport the wild turkey comfortably and hands free. After shooting the wild turkey, the hunter simply fastens the carrier to the neck and feet of the turkey and then places the carrier over the shoulder to transport the turkey out of the woods.

[0008] Wild turkey hunting is an ever increasing and popular sport due to the successful wild turkey restoration and management programs throughout the United States. As the popularity of the sport progresses, it is very important that hunter comfort and safety be maintained to insure a quality hunt. The challenge of the hunt is very rewarding and the wild turkey is a tasty treat.

[0009] After shooting the wild turkey, hunters customarily grasp both legs of the turkey with one hand and then swing the turkey over their shoulder to carry it. A wild turkey can weigh between 15-25 pounds and gets very heavy to carry when transported in this manner in a very short period of time. Consequently, the hunter needs to make frequent stops to rest the fatigued arm resulting from holding that much weight in an awkward arm up position. During these frequent rest stops, the hunter will need to remove the turkey from the shoulder to rest the fatigued arm. This procedure needs to be repeated until the hunter has transported the turkey from the woods. Frequent rest stops increase the transportation time, which can be a problem, because it is important to properly take care of the turkey meat as quickly as possible to prevent spoilage.

[0010] To add to the problem, the successful hunter has a gun and other equipment to carry from the woods at the same time. If the hunter uses the customary arm over shoulder method to carry the turkey, this leaves only one hand free to carry the gun and other equipment, posing an unsafe gun handling condition.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The wild turkey carrier will allow the hunter to transport the turkey out of the woods easily, comfortably, safely, and on a timely basis.

[0012] Once the turkey has been taken, the carrier is removed from the hunter's pocket and simply fastened to the neck and feet of the turkey. The shoulder strap is placed over the hunter's shoulder. With the carrier attached to the turkey and placed over the hunter's shoulder it functions similar to a carry bag with a shoulder strap. The turkey will be suspended under the hunter's arm leaving both hands free. Unlike the customary method of grasping the turkey by both feet and swinging the turkey over the hunter's shoulder, the wild turkey carrier allows the hunter to carry the turkey from the woods without having to hold an arm in a very uncomfortable position. The shoulder strap of the carrier places the weight of the turkey on the hunter's shoulder and not on the hunter's arm.

[0013] An advantage of the wild turkey carrier is it's simplicity and it's ability to be folded into a lightweight and compact size. The carrier can be easily folded up and placed in the pocket of a hunting coat or hunting vest, ready for use when a wild turkey is taken. The carrier's simple all-in-one design allows it to be easily placed over bulky hunting coats or hunting vests without removing any clothing or fastening any buckles or straps. After the hunter has transported the turkey out of the woods, the carrier can remain on the turkey to aid the handling of the bulky turkey though the registration process and the final trip back to the hunter's destination.

[0014] The wild turkey carrier in use allows both hands to be free to carry a gun and other equipment out after a successful hunt. The turkey is suspended under the hunter's arm and does not hinder the hunter's stride when walking. A 15-25 pound turkey can be carried with ease using the wild turkey carrier. The handle on the wild turkey carrier is used to readjust and steady the load of the turkey on the hunter's shoulder when necessary. Since the weight of the turkey is supported by the hunter's shoulder, hunters can carry the turkey out of the woods with comfort. The result is that the hunter can get out of the woods on a timely basis and properly take care of the turkey to prevent meat spoilage.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the wild turkey carrier will be described in the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the wild turkey carrier.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view showing the wild turkey carrier in use.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a detail view showing how the wild turkey carrier is fastened to the turkey's neck.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a detail view showing how the wild turkey carrier is fastened to the turkey's feet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring specifically to the drawings, reference number 10 is used to designate the wild turkey carrier invention. The wild turkey carrier 10 has a leg loop 12, a head loop 14, a handle 16, and the shoulder strap 18.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows the wild turkey carrier construction. The carrier 10, consists of a ⅛ inch thick×1¾ inch wide×12 inch long cowhide leather shoulder strap 18, two ⅛ inch×⅛ inch×40 inch long latigo leather lace 12, 14 and a 1¼ inch diameter×5½ inch long wooden handle 16. One latigo leather lace 12 is doubled up and strung through a ¼ inch hole punched in the cowhide leather shoulder strap 18, with a knot tied in the shoulder strap end and a 6 inch long loop tied in the other end. The other latigo leather lace 14 is doubled up and strung through two {fraction (3/16)} inch holes in the other end of the cowhide leather shoulder strap 18. The doubled latigo leather lace is then strung through a ¼ inch hole drilled through the wood handle 16. The latigo leather lace is then tied in a knot to secure the handle in place.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows the wild turkey carrying device 10 fastened to the neck of the turkey. The wooden handle 16 is slid up the latigo leather lace 14 to form a loop to go around the turkey's neck. The turkey's head is secured by sliding the wooden handle 16 back down the latigo leather lace 14, forming a tight noose around the turkey's neck.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows the wild turkey carrying device 10 fastened to the feet of the turkey. The loop end of latigo leather lace 12 is fed back through itself to form a noose that is placed around both of the turkey's feet.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the wild turkey carrying device 10 in use. Once the loop of 12 is placed around both legs of the turkey and loop of 14 is placed around the neck of the turkey, the hunter places the wild turkey carrier over the shoulder with the head of the turkey to the front. The hunter can now easily and comfortably carry the turkey out of the woods.

Claims

1. A hunter's wild turkey carrier comprising:

a. a dimensioned and configured shoulder strap (18) having first and second ends;

b. a lace (12) dimensioned and configured to extend from the first end of the shoulder strap (18) to form a leg loop on the opposite end;

c. a second lace(14) dimensioned and configured to extend from the second end of the shoulder strap (18) and then threaded through the handle (16) with a knot tied in the lace to form a head loop on the opposite end of the handle;

whereby the ability of the hunter to transport the wild turkey easily, comfortably, safely, and on a timely basis is substantially improved.

2. A hunter's wild turkey carrier as described in claim 1, wherein:

The shoulder strap (18) has one hole on the first end dimensioned and configured to allow the doubled thickness of the lace (12) to pass through it and two holes on the second end dimensioned and configured to allow a single thickness of lace (14) to pass through each hole.

3. A hunter's wild turkey carrier as described in claim 1, wherein:

The handle (16) is dimensioned and configured to conform to the human hand and to allow the doubled thickness of lace (14) to pass through it longitudinally.