Treating turkey fans

[WCB]

FWIW - I've noticed multiple people on this thread saying they use Borax for drying. Borax is NOT for drying, it's for bug repellant. Salt is for drying.

I get 99% of the meat and fat off, wash in Dawn, rinse, blow dry the feathers and steam to repair and straighten feathers. Then with the little connective tissue left between feathers just use Borax. It 100% dries it out. Now with how a lot of guys simple lop off the tail take the big chunks off and dry, maybe Borax isn't the answer but it definitely dries out plenty. I've done a ton of grouse tails in it and they have hung in the garage for 10+ years. no bugs, no mice, no rot.

 

[Rogue Bay]

I've always been paranoid about bug problems, so in the past I've went through the trouble to split between each quill and scrape 99% of the meat and fat out - a bird flesher that taxidermists use (really just a glorified wire wheel with a shield for the mess) would probably make quick work of it, but given that I don't have such a setup, it's a pain in the rear and time consuming.

So, I'm now a fan of the pluck and reassemble method. Just pluck each feather and keep track of where it goes, and use the glue/adhesive/filler of your choice to bind them back together - Bondo is convenient and works well. Zero meat, fat, or tissue to worry about and no waiting for Borax to dry everything out.

I also like to wash the feathers in warm water/dish soap and then rinse and blow dry. Plucking each one also makes it easier to "preen" them if you happen to be someone that doesn't like the usual gaps and separation of the barbules that they all have to one degree or another - giving them the ratty look sometimes. In most cases, they will "zip" back together pretty easily by just lightly pinching the separation between your thumb and pointer finger and pulling outward from the base to the tip.

I’m very interested in this method after watching a YouTube video about it. I’m going to try it on a fan I’ve got in the freezer.

 

[Rogue Bay]

I appreciate everyone’s input on this. Initially I had hoped for some super effective treatment for fans that were already dried, but these great tips and techniques have exposed my inadequacies. I need to do better all the way around so I’m going to start with a clean slate.

 

[Rogue Bay]

I do not. I just went into the shop grabbed some wood and winged it. I made two identical. I do however have to make 4 or 5 more in the next couple weeks. Ill try to remember to write down the measurements and pass them along.

I was literally just finding centers and moving the saw to whatever angle looked good let it rip and matched up the trim pieces. I think the radius on the top I just traced a paint can or Folgers can I keep nails in.

Do you have any photos of the back of the plaque? I’m curious about attachment options.

 

[TreeDux]

I appreciate everyone’s input on this. Initially I had hoped for some super effective treatment for fans that were already dried, but these great tips and techniques have exposed my inadequacies. I need to do better all the way around so I’m going to start with a clean slate.

I have bounced in and out of this thread and picked up some new ideas, myself. To take it back to the beginning and your original question about previously dried fans, I have treated some of mine with an insecticide called Bora Care. It can be used as a termiticide but we generally used it around here for wood boring insects like powder post beetles that wreak havoc on old rough sawn (non-kilndried)lumber. When I have had insects get into fans, wings, and even the sheaths on things like pronghorn skulls it is usually a boring type insect that leaves the telltale pile of dust. My theory is if it works for one boring insect that works for another.

 

[Fowl Play]

I get as much meat/fat off in the field and heavily salt it to dry out/preserve. There is also an oil gland you need to carefully remove between the feathers. Then when I get home, I do a long day/overnight soak in white gas (Coleman fuel) which will strip the remaining fat/oil off and rehydrate it for pinning. I then pack the sucker with as much borax as I can around all the feathers before finally pinning it to dry. Have never had bug problems with any fans I did that to.

 

[Rogue Bay]

Thank you both! This is more great advice!

 

[cornfedkiller]

Do you have any photos of the back of the plaque? I’m curious about attachment options.

Not who you were asking, but I’ve made a few homemade plaques for my fans, and this is what the back of them looks like. Just a little “mending strap” from Walmart and some screws.

 

[Rogue Bay]

Not who you were asking, but I’ve made a few homemade plaques for my fans, and this is what the back of them looks like. Just a little “mending strap” from Walmart and some screws.

View attachment 1069883

Excellent, thank you!

 

[taxidermybycam]

Uncle nommies had it right. He did a nice job.
Do not use salt. Salt is a cure not a preservative. Borax should be used never salt.
And you don't mix salt and borax together. That's nonsense
There is zero shortcuts. You need to clean the quills and remove meat and fat. And borax it. If you washed the feathers,blow dry it first then borax. Bondo or epoxy is fine for drying the feather quills.
If you had previous bug damage to mounts or in the home,you need to bug bomb it and have a professional bug pest control spray the house. Because it won't just be in the garage it'll be elsewhere traveling in the house.