If you want to keep the shell with the leather-like covering on you scrub the moss & dirt off with a scrub brush right after killing the turtle, then when you cut the shell off I would use a pair of sidecutters to cut off the vertabrae as close to the shell as you can,there is a nice piece of meat there sort of like a tenderloin,then scrape as much tissue as you can off of the shell before salting the inside only.Then scrape that off & do again until it is pretty dry. Then I use clear shellac to cover the inside & outside. It will last for years like that. If you boil the shell or let it dry out before shellacing it,the outside covering will curl up & come off in segments then it will be sort of clear like fingernail material.Once you let the skull dry & let the bugs clean off the tissue.it looks like a shrunken head & you will get a clear view of the sharp jaws & especialy the hook. Take my word for it they will tear right through the meat on you hand.I don't know if the head of the one in the pict. is going to work,it looks like he had a bad day. lol sam

Saw a nice size turtle by the dock when we went out for dinner Wednesday night on the Allegheny in PGH
After tying the boat up we were walking on the dock and a turtle about 16"-18" long + tail swam over.
It acted like it was begging for food like the ducks and geese.

Nice turtle crappiefisher.  Buddy got 2 turtles so far.  Havin a fry tomorrow.  I havent got one yet. Hopefully that will change soon.

U see Kimberly lately???

She flew in a couple weeks ago to visit for a few days-sorry no new pics

Went to my buddys party yeasterday.  Both turtles were fried.  Tasted amazing! Both pans were gone in minutes.  Cant wait to get some.