Fan mounting is a great way to preserve the memories you made this season and, unlike big Moose and Deer mounts, can look subtle enough to get the approval of even the non-hunters in your family. These mounts can be created using just a hand full of common household materials and do not require any taxidermy skills to achieve a great result. This article will walk you through step by step, from shot to wall, how to make a fan mount of your own.
Making a turkey fan mount is a cherished tradition for many hunters. After a successful spring turkey hunt, preserving the fan, beard, and spurs provides a lasting memento. Unlike large deer or moose mounts, a turkey fan mount can subtly commemorate the hunt without dominating the room. With a few basic supplies and techniques, DIY turkey fan mounts are easy to create.
Supplies Needed
Making a turkey fan mount requires only a handful of common items:
- Turkey tail fan, beard, and spurs
- Borax or salt
- Cardboard or plywood backing
- Sharp knives and scissors
- Wire brush
- Push pins or toothpicks
- Plaster of Paris, wood putty, or auto body filler
- Turkey mount plaque
Step 1: Remove and Preserve the Fan
After harvesting your turkey carefully remove the tail fan cutting along the tail bone with a sharp knife. Take care not to hack off too many feathers. Try to leave some skin attached to the quills for support. Also cut off the beard and detach the spurs if desired.
Immediately place the fan, beard, and spurs in plastic bags and freeze Freezing prevents decay and kills any lice or mites Store frozen until you’re ready to mount.
Step 2: Clean the Fan
Thaw the fan completely before cleaning. Use a knife to scrape off excess skin and meat from the edges, exposing the quills. Remove the tail bone and any unwanted feathers from the backside.
Now remove all remaining flesh from between the feathers using a sharp Exacto knife. Don’t cut off the feather bases. Thorough cleaning prevents later decay and odors.
Step 3: Wash and Dry
Wash the fan in mild soap and water. Carefully separate the feather shafts with scissors or wire brush to fully expose the quill bases. Rinse well. Pat dry with paper towels.
Allow the fan to air dry completely before proceeding. The feathers must be completely dry for proper preservation.
Step 4: Cure with Borax or Salt
To preserve and dry the feathers, coat the quill bases liberally with borax or salt. Spread on a thick layer, getting borax or salt into all crevices.
For better penetration, some people soak the feather bases briefly in a borax solution first. Peroxide solution also helps whiten feathers.
After coating, allow the fan to cure undisturbed for 2-4 weeks. The borax or salt will thoroughly dry the quills. Check occasionally and add more if needed.
Step 5: Position the Feathers
Once cured, gently wash off the excess preservative. Carefully position feathers using toothpicks or pins on a cardboard or plywood backer. Start at the edges, overlapping each feather slightly, and work towards the middle.
Aim for a natural positioning. The feather tips will want to curve up slightly. Pin each one in place as you go.
Step 6: Make a Mounting Base
Mix a paste of plaster, auto body filler, or wood putty. Spread an even layer over the quill ends and let harden overnight. This creates a solid mounting base for your plaque.
For extra support, some people insert a washer into the wet plaster before drying. The screw can later pass through the washer.
Step 7: Finish and Mount
Purchase a decorative plaque with mounting hardware for your cured turkey fan. Fans can also be mounted on handmade wooden boards or shadow boxes.
Follow the mounting directions to screw through your plaster base and securely attach the fan. If you also preserved the beard and spurs, fasten them alongside the fan as desired.
Displaying Your Turkey Fan Creation
Once fully assembled, decide on a special spot to proudly exhibit your handcrafted turkey fan mount. Guests will admire your hunting success and woodsmanship skills.
Each glance at your personalized turkey mount will bring back great memories of your turkey hunt. With proper cleaning and curing techniques, your homemade creation will commemorate the experience for years to come.
Turkey Fan Mount FAQs
How long does it take to make a turkey fan mount?
From start to finish, plan on around 2 months for your turkey fan mount. Cleaning and curing the fan takes 4-6 weeks. Making the base and final mounting takes about 1 day. Drying time can be reduced with food dehydrators.
What’s the best way to mount the turkey beard?
For a unique beard mount, glue inside a brass shotgun shell base from the successful hunt. Drill a small hole and loop cord through to hang on your plaque.
Can I use salt instead of borax?
Yes, plain white table salt or canning salt works similarly to borax for drying and preserving. Use a thick coating over feather bases.
How do I fix broken turkey feathers?
Carefully glue any broken quills back together with superglue. For added support, bind the break with fly tying thread and a toothpick splint while drying.
Where can I buy fan mount plaques?
Many sporting goods stores sell pre-made turkey fan mounting plaques in various shapes, sizes, and materials. Or create your own board or shadowbox for customized mounting.
With minimal equipment and some easy techniques, savoring your spring gobbler for years to come is totally achievable. Follow these steps to cleanly preserve your trophy fan, beard, and spurs. Take pride in creating a quality turkey mount yourself to display your hunting skills and reminisce about the memorable hunt.
Step 2: Freeze The Fan
Whether you shoot your bird on opening day or on the last day of the season, it is important to freeze your fan and beard as soon as possible. This will not only keep things from rotting until you get around to creating your mount but also kill any lice or mites that could be living in the feathers. These poultry lice are extremely common in Turkeys and although they can’t be spread to humans, hanging any form lice on your wall is highly discouraged. I typically keep the fan in a plastic grocery bag in the freezer as well to make sure that the dead lice stay in the bag and do not get mixed in with other food you may have in there.
Step 4: Cleaning the Feathers
After the meat is all cleared up, you should just be left with the fat that is in between the feathers. As seen below, this fat is super oily and can be one of the main causes of the fan rotting if not properly cleaned. For this step, I like to use scissors to separate the quills, then use a wire brush to scrape out the fat.
Cleaning the fat in between feathers
Feathers mostly cleaned (far left)