Once you’ve secured your impressive turkey, it’s time to mount its fan, beard, and spurs to make a memento of your hunting skills that will last a lifetime. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the procedure, guaranteeing that you end up with a polished mount that will make your hunting friends green with envy.
Gather Your Arsenal: Tools and Materials
Tools:
- Sharp knife
- Scissors
- Pliers
- Measuring tape
- Drill
- Screwdriver
- Hot glue gun
Materials:
- Turkey fan (cleaned and dried)
- Turkey beard (cleaned and dried)
- Turkey spurs (cleaned and dried)
- Mounting board (wood or foam)
- Mounting kit (optional)
- Fabric or felt (optional)
- Decorative elements (optional)
Preparing the Fan, Beard, and Spurs
Fan:
- Cleaning: Gently remove any dirt or debris from the fan using a soft brush or compressed air. Avoid using water, as it can damage the feathers.
- Trimming: If desired, trim the edges of the fan to create a more uniform shape.
- Drying: Lay the fan flat on a clean surface and allow it to air dry completely. Do not use heat, as it can damage the feathers.
Beard:
- Cleaning: Wash the beard gently with mild soap and water. Rinse thoroughly and pat it dry with a clean towel.
- Trimming: If desired, trim the beard to your preferred length.
- Drying: Lay the beard flat on a clean surface and allow it to air dry completely.
Spurs:
- Cleaning: Soak the spurs in warm water and dish soap to remove any dirt or debris. Use a soft brush to clean any crevices.
- Drying: Pat the spurs dry with a clean towel and allow them to air dry completely.
Mounting the Fan
Method 1: Using a Mounting Kit:
- Attach the fan mount to the mounting board: Follow the instructions provided with the mounting kit to securely attach the fan mount to the desired location on the mounting board.
- Attach the fan to the mount: Insert the fan into the mount, ensuring it is securely fastened.
Method 2: Using Fabric or Felt:
- Cut a piece of fabric or felt: Cut a piece of fabric or felt slightly larger than the fan.
- Attach the fabric or felt to the mounting board: Secure the fabric or felt to the mounting board using hot glue or staples.
- Attach the fan to the fabric or felt: Position the fan on the fabric or felt and carefully attach it using hot glue or needle and thread.
Mounting the Beard and Spurs
Beard:
- Attach the beard to the mounting board: Position the beard on the mounting board and secure it using hot glue or staples.
- Optional: Create a beard holder: If desired, create a small holder from fabric or felt to support the beard and give it a more natural appearance.
Spurs:
- Drill holes in the mounting board: Drill small holes in the mounting board where you want to position the spurs.
- Insert the spurs into the holes: Insert the spurs into the holes and secure them using hot glue or a small amount of epoxy.
Finishing Touches
Decorative elements:
- You can add decorative elements to your mount, such as leaves, twigs, or artificial berries, to create a more natural and visually appealing display.
- Consider adding a nameplate or plaque with the date and location of your hunt to personalize your mount.
Sealing:
- To protect your mount from dust and moisture, consider applying a sealant spray or varnish.
Displaying Your Mount
Choose a suitable location:
- Display your mount in a prominent location where it can be admired by all.
- Consider the overall décor of the room when choosing a location for your mount.
Use appropriate lighting:
- Good lighting will highlight the details of your mount and make it more visually appealing.
- Consider using spotlights or track lighting to illuminate your mount.
With a little patience and effort, you can create a stunning turkey fan, beard, and spur mount that will be a cherished reminder of your hunting success. Remember to take your time, follow the steps carefully, and don’t be afraid to get creative with your design.
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I scanned the dark timber, searching for the light-tipped tail feathers that I had seen only moments earlier. When the mocking fan reappeared at sixty yards, it was evident that this was a mature tom because of the thunderous gobble that accompanied it. Then it vanished.
I waited and watched as he attempted to decide if he liked the hen decoy, knowing he was in stealth mode. Then I caught movement out of the corner of my eye as he entered the clearing. He was giving it everything he had, having decided that this was the girl for him. Chest puffed out, tail feathers spread, beard dragging, spitting, and drumming. Despite the lack of reaction from the foam female, he wasn’t letting up.
He strutted his way down the end of my gun barrel, and I squeezed the trigger.
I knew the mounted tail, beard, and spurs would serve as a constant reminder of this hunt long after the turkey was devoured.
For the most part, taxidermy work should be left to the professionals. They are truly artists at what they do and require special equipment and processes. However, mounting a turkey tail, beard, and spurs is an easy, fast, and rewarding way to finish a hunt that anyone can perform. You just need to follow a few steps and use one item available at your local grocery store.
The quality of a finished turkey mount begins in the field. Avoiding broken tail feathers is much easier than fixing them. Even though a strutting bird coming your way might seem like a bigger target, it can be more difficult to hit and will likely damage the fan and meat pellets. Alternatively, wait for the bird to drop its tail and stretch its neck naturally. Your goal should be the spot where the neck skin ends and the feathers begin. You can also cluck a few times to pique the bird’s interest. Before you leave the field, gently smooth the tail feathers into place and protect the bird from harm by wrapping it in an orange vest or bag.
Once home, the easiest part of the bird to preserve is the beard. The beard can be removed by tugging on it and cutting the area where it connects to the body, leaving enough skin to hold it in place. Put a lot of borax (available in the laundry department of most supermarkets) on the part of the beard that is fleshy. Then pour some borax into a small container and place the skin of the beard in it overnight.
The next step is to remove the tail. Hold the fan closed. Feel for the triangle-shaped base beneath the skin that connects the tail feathers to the body. Cut in front of this to separate the tail from the rest of the turkey. Err on the side of caution. It is better to leave too much skin on than not enough. Cutting extra off later is easy, gluing feathers back in is time consuming.
Lay the removed tail section on a hard, flat surface. Using a knife’s edge, remove any meat from the quills’ base without severing the tissue that connects them. When all the excess is removed, apply generous amounts of borax to the entire base. Thoroughly rub it into all the nooks and crannies to protect the mount from rot and insects and to extend its lifespan.
Now the tail must be held in shape to dry. With the bottom feathers parallel, you can opt for a half strut or spread the fan out to a full strut. Whatever position you choose will be permanent, as moving them after they are dry is not possible. To secure the fan, place a tiny pin, nail, or staple in front of each bottom feather. Then, place the fan onto a large sheet of cardboard. Carefully arrange and smooth out each tail feather. Cover the tail with another piece of cardboard and tape the two pieces together. Put in a location where it will not be disturbed. Drying should be complete in about seven days.
The bird’s spurs can be taken off after tending to its more delicate tail and beard. Start by removing the leg at the knee joint to make it easier to work with. Next, cut through the leg on both spur sides with a hacksaw so that the base can be as wide as desired. This will leave the spur attached to a hollow section of the leg bone. Remove the skin and any fleshy material from the outside and inside of the bone. The spur can be coated with polyurethane for a shinier finish or left natural. Run a string or thin strap of leather through the hollow bones.
After the tail’s drying period, remove it from the cardboard and the beard from the container of borax. Brush off any excess preservative. If you’re mounting them, simply slide the fan into the slot on the wooden display panel (available at sporting goods stores). Most of them will also have a hole on the bottom for the beard. Apply hot glue or epoxy to the beard’s tip and place it into the panel’s opening.
There are plenty of different ways to highlight the spurs, beard, and tail when mounting your own, which is why it’s appealing. Every time you walk by that natural artwork hanging on the den wall, you will be reminded of the hunt and the joy you felt in preserving the memory, regardless of the pattern you choose.
Credit Noppadol Paothong Right to Use
Credit Larry R. Beckett Right to Use
Credit Larry R. Beckett Right to Use
Credit Larry R. Beckett Right to Use
Credit Larry R. Beckett Right to Use