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 great way to preserve the memories from your successful hunt Unlike large moose and deer mounts, turkey fan mounts can look subtle enough to get the approval of even non-hunters in your family These mounts can be created using just a handful 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 mounting, how to make a turkey fan mount of your own.
Step 1: Remove the Fan and Beard
Removing the fan is one of the first things to do after field dressing the turkey. This avoids unnecessary damage during transport and cleaning. Removing it is relatively easy – find the tailbone just above the turkey’s vent and cut along it with a sharp knife. Leave quite a few extra feathers attached as it’s much easier to remove them later than try to reattach them.
Removing the beard can often wait until after plucking, as cutting it off will expose the breast sponge and make a mess if you’re not ready to clean the whole bird.
Step 2: Freeze the Fan
Whether you get your bird on opening day or the last day of season, it’s important to freeze the fan and beard ASAP. This prevents rotting until you create your mount. It also kills any lice or mites in the feathers. Poultry lice are extremely common in turkeys. Although they can’t spread to humans, hanging lice on your wall is highly discouraged. Keep the fan in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer to contain dead lice.
Step 3: Remove the Meat
Once thawed, the first step is removing all meat. This tedious step is essential for longevity and to prevent rotting or smell.
As seen below, quite a bit of meat and fat is left on the fan after field removal. The center of the fan will have tailbone that needs removal along with attached meat. A sharp pocket knife works for large pieces. This is also when you can remove unwanted feathers from the back of the mount.
Once tailbone and excess feathers are gone, the tedious part begins. Remaining meat pieces on the feathers are small and stuck tightly. Small, sharp Exacto knives work well, allowing you to remove chunks without damaging feather bases.
Step 4: Clean the Feathers
After all meat is removed, fat remains between the feathers. This oily fat can cause rotting if not properly cleaned. Use scissors to separate quills, then a wire brush to scrape out fat.
Once scraping is complete, it’s time to start preserving the mount.
Step 5: Preserve the Mount
Although some soak feathers in white gas to fully remove oil, borax sufficiently dries feathers and prevents rotting.
Before adding borax, spread out the fan on cardboard and pin feathers in place with tacks or toothpicks. Once positioned, liberally spread borax on the quill bases, ensuring it gets under cracks with meat or oil.
Let it sit at least 2 weeks, checking periodically and removing abnormalities. The longer in borax the better, up to 1 month.
After settling, wipe off excess borax and repin any moved feathers. It’s now ready for mounting.
Step 6: Create a Plaster Base
Create a plaster base at the quill ends that can eventually screw through and hang behind a plaque. Regular auto body filler from the hardware store works well. Spread over the bases and let dry overnight.
By morning there should be a solid base to hold feathers in position and allow hanging for display.
Step 7: Finish the Mount
Turkey fan mount kits can be found at most hunting stores in various shapes, colors and materials. They screw through the plastered fan to lock it in place, then screw into the wall.
Some kits have places for spurs and beards too. You can also make your own additions, like beads and cord for spurs and beards in a decorative way.
Fixing Damaged Feathers
If feathers are broken or missing, try returning to the harvest site to find them. Carefully match and glue missing quills into place with superglue.
For broken ends, use a toothpick and fly tying thread to bind them and provide support while the glue dries. With some patience, badly damaged fans can become great looking mounts.
Displaying Your Turkey Fan Mount
Once fully assembled, your turkey fan mount is ready for hanging. Find a spot that will show off its full splendor.
Guests will admire your successful hunt whenever they see it prominently displayed. Let the memories come flooding back each time you glance at your homemade turkey fan mount.
Creating a turkey fan mount is very doable for most hunters without taxidermy experience. With inexpensive household items, proper cleaning techniques and patience, you can preserve your trophy fan for lifelong display.
Follow each step carefully from field to plaque. Pay special attention to fully removing all meat, fat and oils that could cause rotting later. Let borax thoroughly penetrate to dry and preserve the feathers.
Take pride in displaying your hand crafted turkey fan mount for all to see. It will reminisce back to the memorable hunt every time you look at it.
Step 3: Remove the Meat
Once you are ready to prepare the fan and have it all thawed out, the first step is to remove the meat. This is by far the most tedious step of the process but is absolutely essential to making sure the mount lasts and does not smell or rot on your wall.
As you can see below, quite a bit of meat (red) and fat (yellow) is left on the fan from removing it in the field. The centre of the fan will also have a piece of tail bone that will need to be removed and will take a lot of the meat with it. A sharp pocket knife will be sufficient when removing the large pieces of meat and bone. This is also the stage when you can begin removing unwanted feathers from the back of the mount.
Turkey Fan out of the freezer
Unneeded feathers and tail bone removed
Once you have the tail bone and unwanted feathers removed, the tedious and frustrating part of the job begins. As you can see above, the pieces of meat that remain on the feathers are very small and are stuck tightly to the base of the fan. Small and sharp Exacto knives are great for this portion of the project, allowing you to remove these small chunks without damaging the base of the feathers.
Step 1: Remove the Fan and Beard
Removing the fan is one of the first things that I do after gutting the turkey in order to avoid unnecessary damage during the transport and cleaning process. Removing it is relatively easy, finding the tail bone just above the bird’s vent and cutting along it with a sharp knife. I typically try to leave quite a few extra feathers attached as it is much easier to remove them later than to try to re-attach them.
Removing the beard can often wait until the plucking process is complete as cutting it off will expose the breast sponge and can make a bit of a mess if you’re not prepared to clean the whole bird.
How To Mount A Turkey Fan * THE EASY WAY *
FAQ
How do you preserve a turkey fan for mounting?
Do you put Borax or salt on a turkey fan?
Where can I find Turkey fan mount kits?
Turkey fan mount kits can be found at most hunting stores and come in a variety of shapes, colours, and materials. They will also vary in their accessory mounts that can allow you to hang beards, spurs, and even skulls alongside your fan.
How do you mount a Turkey fan?
First things first … fill your turkey tag! Once you have a tom on the ground, decide if you would like to mount just the fan, or if you would also like to include its beard and spurs. Once you’ve made that decision, it is time to gather your supplies. Note that this is but one of many ways to preserve your fan.
What supplies do you need to make a Turkey fan?
Common supplies that you’re going to want to have on hand are the turkey fan (beard and spurs optional), sharp knives and scissors, salt (or borax), a backing material in which the fan will “cure” such as plywood or an old cardboard box, push pins and the final mounting plaque. Prepare the Fan Start by carefully removing the fan from the turkey.
How do you preserve a Turkey fan?
Note that this is but one of many ways to preserve your fan. Common supplies that you’re going to want to have on hand are the turkey fan (beard and spurs optional), sharp knives and scissors, salt (or borax), a backing material in which the fan will “cure” such as plywood or an old cardboard box, push pins and the final mounting plaque.