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 DIY turkey mount is a great way to preserve the memories and honor the trophy from your successful spring turkey hunt. While a full mount from a professional taxidermist can cost over $500, you can create a custom turkey fan mount yourself for a fraction of the price. With some basic supplies, patience, and a few hours of hands-on work, you’ll have a unique turkey trophy ready for display on your wall.
Supplies Needed
- Sharp knife
- Borax powder
- Stiff wire brush
- Push pins, tacks or toothpicks
- Plaster of Paris
- Paint stir sticks or putty knives
- Sandpaper
- Superglue
- Mounting plaque
- Small screws
- Drill
- Optional: Supplementary feathers, beard, spurs
Step 1: Remove the Fan and Beard
After harvesting your turkey carefully cut around the base of the tail feather fan with your knife. Try to leave a couple extra inches of skin and flesh. This gives you some material to work with for mounting. Also cut off the beard near the chest cavity during field dressing. Rinse any blood from the beard and place both the fan and beard in a sealed plastic bag. Put in the freezer as soon as possible to prevent spoiling.
Step 2: Skin and Clean the Carcass
Once the fan and beard are removed, you can skin the carcass and remove the breast and leg meat as normal. Be sure to pluck and save any supplemental wing feathers or plumage that you may want to use later in your mount. Dispose of the remaining carcass appropriately based on your state’s regulations.
Step 3: Thaw and Clean the Fan
When ready to start the mount, take the frozen fan out of the freezer and let it fully thaw. Use your knife to carefully scrape or cut away any bone, unwanted tissue, or feathers from the base of the fan. You want to remove all fat, meat and connective tissue. A stiff wire brush can help scrub out any remaining gunk between the feather barbs. Borax powder also helps remove grease and odor.
Step 4: Shape and Position the Feathers
Gently separate and position the tail feathers into the shape you want for the mount. Use push pins, tacks or toothpicks to hold the feathers in place as you work. Start from the outer edges and overlap each feather slightly as you move inward Create a natural fanned shape Apply superglue to any broken quills or loose feathers. Let the glue fully cure before moving on.
Step 5: Create a Solid Backing
To mount the feather fan on a wall plaque you need a solid backing behind it. Plaster of Paris works perfectly for this. Mix up a small batch according to the package directions. Use a paint stick or putty knife to apply about a 1/2 inch thick layer of plaster over the entire back of the fanned feathers. Smooth with your fingers or tool. Allow the plaster to fully cure and harden overnight before removing the pins.
Step 6: Seal and Preserve the Feathers
Before mounting, seal the fan to prevent rotting or insects. Generously brush borax powder paste into the feather bases and quills. Let dry 1-2 weeks so the borax can fully penetrate. Knock off any excess powder before mounting. You can also spray with matte sealant for extra protection. Avoid glossy finishes.
Step 7: Mount the Fan on a Plaque
Finally, affix your preserved fan to a mounting plaque board. Predrill holes in the plaque to avoid cracking the plaster. Use strong wood screws placed far enough apart for stability. Attach any supplemental feathers, beard, spurs as desired. Consider adding a photo, text or custom plaque below the fan. Add a hanger or bracket, then display your turkey trophy!
Tips for Avoiding Problems
- Use superglue and toothpicks to repair broken feathers
- Add extra plaster if the fan won’t hold its shape
- Sand the edges of cured plaster for better texture and adhesion
- Treat any mold growth with borax solution and re-seal
- Thoroughly scrub with borax and re-seal to remove odors
Displaying Your Turkey Mount
- Hang in a rustic cabin or man cave for outdoorsy decor
- Place on a mantle or bookshelf for an elegant natural element
- Incorporate supplemental feathers in a shadow box display
- Let the beard and spurs adorn a hat, lamp or other decorative object
Creating a DIY turkey fan mount is very rewarding. With some handy work and creativity, you’ll have a custom trophy that provides lasting memories of your successful hunt. Follow these tips and steps to make a turkey mount you can proudly display.
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 6: The Mount
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. Whichever one you choose to buy or make, these mounts will often simply screw through the centre of your plastered fan, locking it in place, and screwing into the wall on the other side.
How To Mount A Turkey Fan * THE EASY WAY *
FAQ
How do you do a turkey fan mount?
Brush off the loose Borax and mix up a small batch of Bondo car body putty. Spread a ¼-inch layer of Bondo carefully on the exposed quill ends then let it set up for a few days to cure. Drill a hole through the Bondo to mount your fan to a board with a screw and washer.
How much does a turkey mount cost?
| Chucker | $ 425.00 |
|---|---|
| Turkeys | $ 1095.00 |
| Turkey Fan, Beard, & Spurs | $ 225.00 |
| Turkey Fan, Beard, Spurs, & Skull | $ 250.00 |
| Turkey Fan, Beard, Wings & Feet | $ 425.00 |