Now that I have him....

[Sir-diealot]

These are cleaned up and will finish cleaning them soon, but it gives you a way to see how they get done.

Untitled attachment 00026

They will end up like these soon.

IMG_20180407_101702875

Thanks bud, the visual certainly does help. I am also going to try to do something with the shotshell I got him with, I also have the slug shell from my first deer.

[Sir-diealot]

Got the spurs cut off, wanted to leave the scales on but things did not go well so they are off. Now I guess I have to let them dry overnight and put them in borax? Had a hard time cutting them, they are longer than others I have seen but I guess I can get a dremel tool and grind them down some.

[Jester87]

You'll want to flesh the meat off the fan without seperating the thin membrane that holds the quills. I use a pairing knife and those brass/steel gun cleaning brushes to scape. Then spread the fan out on your drying board and pin in place. Generously cover the fleshed area with borax and let dry. Mine dries within 2 weeks but i flesh the hell out of it. i'd guess that the more meat you leave and a humid region can prolong the process, in which case i'd change out the borax during that time. If you have your mounting plaque, use it as a guide when pinning the fan.

[Sir-diealot]

You'll want to flesh the meat off the fan without seperating the thin membrane that holds the quills. I use a pairing knife and those brass/steel gun cleaning brushes to scape. Then spread the fan out on your drying board and pin in place. Generously cover the fleshed area with borax and let dry. Mine dries within 2 weeks but i flesh the hell out of it. i'd guess that the more meat you leave and a humid region can prolong the process, in which case i'd change out the borax during that time. If you have your mounting plaque, use it as a guide when pinning the fan.

Thank you much for the advise, I have it all set and drying now, going to go at least a month, maybe two to be safe. How long do I leave beard and spurs in borax?

[Jester87]

You're doing great! Here's a photo of what it would look like with the red meat removed and that thin yellow membrane holding the feathers together. I use a stiff metal brush, plus a razor and pairing knife. In particular, those parts cleaning brushes they sell at walmart or hardware stores. They're stiffer than the pet brush and about the size of a toothbrush. Don't overthink the borax. It doesnt hurt anything to leave it covered. Dry time will depend on how much meat is left, your humidity levels, etc. If you check it and its still damp, cover with new borax. I'm about to do mine this weekend!   

[Sir-diealot]

You're doing great! Here's a photo of what it would look like with the red meat removed and that thin yellow membrane holding the feathers together. I use a stiff metal brush, plus a razor and pairing knife. In particular, those parts cleaning brushes they sell at walmart or hardware stores. They're stiffer than the pet brush and about the size of a toothbrush. Don't overthink the borax. It doesnt hurt anything to leave it covered. Dry time will depend on how much meat is left, your humidity levels, etc. If you check it and its still damp, cover with new borax. I'm about to do mine this weekend!   

Well you did much better than I did. The other thing you did that I did not was remove the bone, I was told not to worry about it.

[Jester87]

Actually that's a photo I found online. I've never taken pics of the process, but they look just like that once all the meat is removed. I remove the bone. Its cleaner and easier to level and fit in plaques. The more unnecessary meat and stuff you remove, the better chances it will preserve and not get bugs or rot in the future.   

[Sir-diealot]

Actually that's a photo I found online. I've never taken pics of the process, but they look just like that once all the meat is removed. I remove the bone. Its cleaner and easier to level and fit in plaques. The more unnecessary meat and stuff you remove, the better chances it will preserve and not get bugs or rot in the future.

Bummer, I can't remove the bone now.

[Manoflaw]

These are cleaned up and will finish cleaning them soon, but it gives you a way to see how they get done.

Untitled attachment 00026

They will end up like these soon.

IMG_20180407_101702875

These look awesome

[Sir-diealot]

How long should I leave beard and spurs in Borax?

[BigSlam51]

How long should I leave beard and spurs in Borax?

Beard and spurs should be dry by now

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Sir-diealot]

How long should I leave beard and spurs in Borax?

Beard and spurs should be dry by now

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Okay, thanks. Beard got in first day but spurs were not to long ago so by that I think I will give it another week. Unfortunately I will not be able to clean them up for a few weeks anyway, I have shoulder surgery on Friday. I was going to build another call kit but decided not to get it because of the same reason.

[WorkingBirds]

These are cleaned up and will finish cleaning them soon, but it gives you a way to see how they get done.

Untitled attachment 00026

They will end up like these soon.

IMG_20180407_101702875

These are some of the best looking spurs I've seen, would you care to share your process with us?

[Sir-diealot]

Everything is still in Borax, I wanted to be good and sure the thing was dry. I bought a coping saw and have to get that bone out of the tail or I can't mount it the way I want. A friend is going to come over and do that for me, I do not trust my hands enough for that job, guess I will have to put back under borax again.