Woods Journal

Spring turkey season is upon us, and hunters of all ages will be getting out into the woods to try their hand at procuring their own birds. Once the fowl is brought down, most hunters will simply breast it out and be done with it, but a nice bird may be brought back to be mounted. The cost of doing so can be high, yet the process is something most people can do at home. Once learned, the simple do-it-yourself tail fan-mount can be transferred to use with several other game birds, including grouse and pheasant.

The procedure is simple; once a hunter bags a bird all he needs to do is get whatever meat he wants out of it and then turn to the tail. The tail functions like a large fan, which can be opened or collapsed at a central point on the base where the feather roots meet. At this point, once the fan is collapsed, the hunter can twist the tail off. With the help of a small knife, the tail will come off with ease. The beard can be removed by simply cutting under the roots, and by making sure the whole of it is removed in one piece.

Once these parts are brought home, a hunter will need a few items from the store: a large piece of cardboard, several tacks, salt, and borax. The cardboard must be at least as big as the tail fan is once it is fully opened. The hunter should then open the fan onto the cardboard, laying it out in its fully opened position. Excess meat or material must be removed from the roots, as the less there is during the drying process the quicker and better the roots will dry. The hunter will then need to use the tacks to pin the tail open onto the cardboard base. Finally, the salt and borax should be poured all over the base, where any meat or tissue is left. This will pull out all the moisture and the more the merrier. The beard should be laid onto a piece of cardboard and the base covered in salt and borax as well.

Once let to sit for two to five weeks, the tail should be dried and solidified in its fully open position. At this point a hunter can either purchase a base online or build their own. Wood, leather and even plastic can be used to make a fine stand that is simple and can be hung from the wall or placed onto a shelf. Several tails can be mounted together on one stand stacked together front-to-back, and the beards are generally hung from the face of the stand. Some hunters will even keep the feet if the tom had impressive spurs. These are usually hung from the sides of the mount.

The spring tom season is April 10 through May 16, and the either sex fall season is Sept. 1 through Jan. 1 in Sanders County.

Reach John at [email protected].