Putting fan/beard on plaque

[shotgun]

I cut the fan and beard off the gobbler I kille the other day and put salt on them and hung up. My question is how long should I let them hang before putting them on a plaque?

 

[Onelow69c10]

I usually wait two weeks but you could probably do it sooner.

 

[Gravey]

I use borax and put it on each side of the fan for a week so two weeks total before doing anything with it. Could probably go a little quicker but I don't get in a hurry with it.

 

[AT Hiker]

Your best bet is the clean ALL met away from the base of the fan, spread it open, pin the feathers in place, borax it, and after it is dried either super glue or bondo it (you basically fill in where the meat/fat used to be) but make sure it is not too thick to put on your plaque. Its also good to soak the base in white gas for about 1 hour after you flesh it, and before you borax it. This will degrease it and help deter any bugs from ever attacking it.

Of course I have a couple fans from 15 years ago that was just sprinkled with borax and hung up, they still look OK.