The Wild Turkey Zone: Preserving Turkey Beards
More than just a trophy, turkey beards serve as a tangible reminder of the excitement of the hunt and as evidence of the guile and expertise required to take down this magnificent bird. Preserving these beards ensures that these memories last a lifetime.
This guide will delve into the techniques of preserving turkey beards, from field dressing to display, providing you with the knowledge to honor your harvest and showcase your success.
Step 1: Field Dressing:
- Detaching the Beard: Carefully pull the beard away from the turkey’s body and cut through the skin surrounding the base to separate it cleanly. Some prefer a more forceful approach, firmly grasping the beard and giving it a sharp jerk. However, this method carries a higher risk of damaging the beard.
- Trimming Excess Flesh: Using a sharp knife, remove as much skin and flesh from the base of the beard as possible, leaving only the cartilage that holds the beard together. This step is crucial for preventing insect damage and ensuring proper preservation.
Step 2: Drying and Preserving:
- Borax Bath: Submerge the beard’s base in a container filled with Borax for a week. Borax, readily available at your local Walmart, effectively dries and preserves the beard, preventing decay and insect infestation.
- Thorough Drying: After a week in Borax, remove the beard and brush off any remaining Borax powder. Allow the beard to air dry completely before proceeding to the display stage.
Step 3: Displaying Your Trophy:
- Unleash Your Creativity: There are countless ways to display your preserved turkey beard, allowing you to express your personal style and commemorate the hunt. Some popular options include:
- Beard Racks: Wooden racks specifically designed to hold turkey beards, offering a classic and elegant presentation.
- Fan Mounts: Combining the beard with the turkey’s tail fan creates a visually stunning display, capturing the essence of the bird.
- Shadow Boxes: Encasing the beard in a shadow box allows for additional memorabilia, such as photos or tags, to be included, creating a personalized narrative of the hunt.
- Shotgun Shell Display: A unique and personalized approach is to glue the beard into the brass casing of a 12-gauge shotgun shell, preferably the one used to harvest the turkey. This method adds a touch of nostalgia and symbolism to the display.
Additional Tips:
- Immediate Preservation: It’s crucial to preserve the beard as soon as possible after harvesting the turkey to prevent spoilage and insect damage.
- Proper Handling: Handle the beard with care throughout the process to avoid breaking or damaging the delicate fibers.
- Display Options: Explore various display options to find one that aligns with your personal style and preferences.
- Creative Inspiration: Seek inspiration from online resources and fellow turkey hunters to discover unique and innovative ways to showcase your beard.
Preserving turkey beards is a meaningful way to honor the hunt and keep the memory of your success alive. By following these simple steps and exploring your creativity, you can transform your turkey beard into a cherished keepsake that will be admired for years to come. Remember the process is as much about preserving the physical trophy as it is about preserving the memories and emotions associated with the hunt. So, take your time enjoy the process, and let your creativity soar.
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As we all hunker down and try to keep our distance, here’s a great way to spend some time creating taxidermy art from current or past gobblers.
Whether you’ve frozen a gobbler or caught one this spring, this is a great time to gather and present your past seasons’ successes. Round up your beards and spurs and create a beard board to remember those hunts. With just a few simple tools, you can create an eye-catching piece of taxidermy art for your trophy room.
How To Preserve A Turkey Fan, Beard and Spurs
FAQ
How do I keep my turkey beard from falling apart?
How do you preserve a turkey fan and beard?
How do you preserve a turkey beard in salt?
How long does it take to dry a turkey beard?
How do you preserve a turkey beard?
Dry the beard by patting it with a towel and using a hairdryer to finish the job. 4) If freezing for later, place in the same bag of legs and put it in the freezer. 5) Place the base of the beard in borax for a couple of weeks to dry and preserve. I keep the hull from the load that actually shot the turkey, you don’t have to.
How do you preserve a beard?
3) If the beard is dirty, wash it in warm water with dish soap and rinse thoroughly. Dry the beard by patting it with a towel and using a hairdryer to finish the job. 4) If freezing for later, place in the same bag of legs and put it in the freezer. 5) Place the base of the beard in borax for a couple of weeks to dry and preserve.
How long should a turkey beard be?
turkey’s beard grows out of a sheath which is attached to the skin on the breast. Beards equal to or longer than 6 inches in length are found on adult turkeys and beards less than 6 inches in length are found on juvenile turkeys. If your turkey has multiple beards, only measure the longest one for your harvest report.
How do you remove a bird’s beard?
1) Find the base of the beard on the bird and gently pull to make the skin around the beard tight. It may help to pluck some feathers around the beard to get a better view of the base of the beard. 2) With a sharp knife remove the beard by cutting the skin around the base of the beard.