I recently picked up a new turkey tail fan plaque to finally give my biggest gobbler the spot on the wall he deserves. There is something about turkey season that just hits different—the crisp mornings, the sound of a distant gobble breaking the silence, and that adrenaline rush when a big tom finally steps into range. Once the hunt is over and the meat is in the freezer, you're left with these incredible feathers that are just too beautiful to throw away.
Mounting the fan yourself is a bit of a rite of passage for most hunters. While you could certainly send the whole bird off to a taxidermist, there is a lot of pride in doing the work yourself. Plus, using a turkey tail fan plaque makes the whole process pretty straightforward, even if you aren't particularly "crafty." It's about creating a tangible reminder of that specific day in the woods.
Picking the Right Style for Your Space
When you start looking for a turkey tail fan plaque, you'll realize there are way more options than you might expect. It isn't just a simple piece of wood anymore. You can find plaques made from dark walnut, light oak, or even reclaimed barn wood for that rustic, "lived-in" look.
Personally, I'm a fan of the classic shield shape. It's timeless and focuses all the attention on the iridescent colors of the feathers. However, if you want something a bit more modern, some plaques feature laser-engraved scenes of the woods or even a slot to slide in a photo of the hunt. That's a cool touch because, let's be honest, after a few years, the details of the hunt might get a little fuzzy. Having that photo right there with the fan keeps the memory sharp.
Another thing to consider is whether you want to display just the fan or if you want to include the beard and spurs too. Most decent plaques have a little notch or a leather cord designed to hold the beard. If you're lucky enough to bag a bird with a double beard, you'll definitely want a plaque that can accommodate that.
The Not-So-Glamorous Part: Prepping the Fan
Before you can actually screw anything onto your turkey tail fan plaque, you've got to do the dirty work. I'm talking about cleaning the tail base. If you don't do this right, you're going to end up with a trophy that smells like a dumpster within a week.
You want to carefully trim away as much meat and fat from the base of the feathers as possible without cutting the quills that hold the whole thing together. It's a delicate balance. Once you've got it cleaned up, the secret ingredient is Borax. I usually take a piece of cardboard, spread the fan out in a perfect semi-circle, and pin it down. Then, I bury the fleshy base in a mountain of Borax.
Give it a good two or three weeks to dry out completely. You'll know it's ready when the base feels hard and mummified. It's not the prettiest part of the process, but skipping this step is the fastest way to ruin a good turkey tail fan plaque and annoy everyone else in the house with the smell.
Assembling Your Display
Once the fan is dry and stiff, it's time for the satisfying part. Most turkey tail fan plaque kits come in two pieces: a back plate and a front cover. The idea is to sandwich the base of the fan between these two pieces of wood.
I usually do a dry run first just to make sure the fan is centered. There's nothing worse than tightening everything down only to realize the feathers are leaning to the left. If you're adding the spurs, you can string them onto some leather lace and hang them from the bottom. Some guys like to keep the leg bones attached to the spurs, while others just slide the "rings" of the spurs onto the cord.
Don't over-tighten the screws right away. Get everything positioned, step back, look at it from a few feet away, and then lock it down. It should look balanced and full. If some of the feathers are overlapping weirdly, you can gently nudge them into place before the front plate is fully secured.
Why the Wood Choice Matters
I mentioned wood types earlier, but it's worth circling back to. The color of your turkey tail fan plaque should really complement the feathers. Eastern turkeys have those deep copper and bronze tones, which look incredible against a dark walnut plaque. If you're hunting Rios or Merriams with those lighter, cream-colored tips, a lighter wood or even a weathered gray finish can really make those tips pop.
It's also about the vibe of your room. If your "man cave" or gear room is filled with dark furniture, a light pine plaque might stick out like a sore thumb. Think of the plaque as the frame for a piece of art. You want it to enhance the feathers, not distract from them.
Adding the Personal Touches
The best part about using a turkey tail fan plaque is that it's yours. You can customize it however you want. I've seen guys who take the brass from the actual shell they used and glue it into the plaque. It's a small detail, but it tells a story.
I also like to write the date, the location, and the weight of the bird on the back of the plaque with a permanent marker. It's one of those things you think you'll remember forever, but twenty years and twenty birds later, you'll be glad you wrote it down.
Where to Hang Your Masterpiece
Once your turkey tail fan plaque is all put together and looking sharp, you've got to find the right spot for it. Sunlight is the enemy here. If you hang your fan in a spot that gets direct afternoon sun, those beautiful colors are going to fade into a dull brown faster than you'd think.
Try to find a wall that's a bit more "protected." A hallway or an interior wall in a den is usually a safe bet. Also, keep it away from high-traffic areas where people might accidentally brush against the feathers. They're tougher than they look, but constant bumping will eventually make the feathers look raggedy and frayed.
Keeping It Looking Fresh
Maintenance isn't something people talk about much, but your turkey tail fan plaque will collect dust just like anything else. Every few months, I take mine down and give it a very gentle shake outside. You can also use a can of compressed air—the kind you use for keyboards—to blow the dust off the feathers. Just be careful not to get too close or use too much pressure, as you don't want to separate the barbs of the feathers.
If the wood starts looking a bit dry, a quick wipe with some furniture polish or lemon oil will bring back the shine. It's a five-minute job that keeps the display looking like you just put it up yesterday.
Why We Do It
At the end of the day, a turkey tail fan plaque is more than just a piece of decor. It's a tribute to the bird and the effort you put into the hunt. Every time I walk past the one in my office, I'm transported back to that rainy Tuesday morning when everything finally clicked. I can almost hear the woods waking up.
Whether it's your first bird or your fiftieth, taking the time to mount the fan properly is a great way to respect the animal. It turns a successful hunt into a lasting piece of history that you can share with friends and family for years. So, if you've got a fan sitting in the garage pinned to a board, go ahead and grab a turkey tail fan plaque. It's well worth the afternoon it takes to put it all together.