Tail fan mounts

[RLAG]

When doing a tail fan mount:

1. Do y'all prefer to have the two bottom feathers perfectly horizonal(180 degrees apart) or have a little bit less than 180 degrees like 150-160? Kinda v shaped. I've seen both and I know where I stand

2. Birds are supposed to have 18 feathers on their tail fan. Have y'all killed birds with 17 or 19? I'm sure most have never even paid attention to it....

3. Do you prefer the borax or bondo method?

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[GobbleNut]

I personally prefer the fan to be at full extension but with the feathers still overlapping such that there are no gaps.  That is usually at about 180 degrees, but may vary slightly either way.    I always leave the first couple of layers of iridescent rump feathers attached to the fan and spread them evenly such that they cover the lower fan quills.  That makes a much more attractive fan mount.

Here's the process I use with tail fans:  I clean everything off thoroughly around the quills while leaving the connective tissue intact.  I then borax the base thoroughly.  I then take a piece of cardboard bigger than, or close to, the size of the fan, spread the fan to the shape I want, and then pin the fan feathers individually by running a thin "bobby" pin through the center of the fan feathers, spacing the feathers the way I want them, space the rump feathers evenly, and groom everything as needed.  I then let the fan dry for a couple of weeks.  After that time period, the fan is set and the pins and cardboard can be removed.  The total amount of time involved for the entire process is an hour or two max. 

In the climate I live in (dry, low humidity), nothing further is needed to be done as far as the fan goes.  I generally add a wood base to cover the fan base, add the beard and spurs as desired, and it's done.  Other than inspecting once in a while to ensure bugs or moths have not invaded, and treating for those if needed, nothing else needs to be done and the display will last indefinitely. 

[MossyOak92]

I prefer mine at 180 degrees. I use a hanger with clips on each side to hold it and borax it.

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[Lcmacd 58]

I use borax
180 for me

[Lone Star Eastern]

1) I like the look of a full fan (180°), but it's more important to me to make sure the feathers overlap. If 180° means gaps, I think an angle would be better.

2) I hadn't thought of this until reading on here about it. My lone mount has 18.

3) I used borax to dehydrate/clean the meat while tacked to cardboard, then covered in bondo to help hold it long term, and have something to screw through (be sure to pre-drill).


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[ncturkey]

It depends on what I am going to do with the fan. I most do a little less than a full 180.
I use to use borax. But I know using McKenzie Dry Preservative.

[Jester87]

Depends on the fan and the display plaque. I try to line the last feather on both ends to match the plaque angle. Most plaque angles are cut less than 180. Thats not to say you cant extend it out further but I find the look odd. If a tail feather is missing or badly damaged you can hide over it by overlapping feathers but that may require the fan to be less opened if that makes sense. Some people want a perfect fan others like the missing feathers as part of the hunt story or birds character.

[wchadw]

I usually do just under 180
I use a cork bulletin board and tack fan so you can't get all the way to 180
Try to spread fan where feather's barely overlap trying to mimic natural spread
Here's one my son killed this year



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[dejake]

I use plain salt. Shot one once with 20 tail feathers.