Turning a successful hunt into a lasting piece of decor is easier than you think with a DIY turkey fan mount. I've gathered my favorite ways to display these feathers so you can build something you're actually proud to hang on the wall.

1. Barn Wood Plaque

My very first mount was a simple barn wood plaque, and it still hangs in my living room today. To get this rustic look, you just need a few basics:

• Scrap barn wood
• Leather strip for the base
• Hot glue and borax

2. Live Edge Slab

Skip the standard wood plaque and use a live edge slab for a more natural feel. You can cut the slab yourself or grab one from a local mill, then sand it down just enough to remove the splinters while keeping the bark intact. Mount the fan directly to the flat side using a heavy-duty adhesive.

A coat of matte polyurethane will keep the bark from flaking off over time.

3. Glass Shadow Box

Feathers naturally fade if they sit in direct sunlight for too long.

Setting the fan inside a glass shadow box protects the colors and keeps the dust off. You can back the box with a dark felt to make the iridescent tips pop.

It turns a standard hunting trophy into a polished piece of wall art.

Why it works: The glass barrier blocks UV light while completely eliminating the need to dust delicate feathers.

4. Paracord Wrapped Base

A full turkey fan display spans about 30 inches wide when fully spread. That takes up serious wall space, so wrapping the base in braided paracord helps anchor the massive size without looking bulky. You can weave two contrasting cord colors together to cover the fleshy base where the quills meet. It gives the mount a rugged, finished edge that fits perfectly in a cabin or man cave. Plus, the cord is incredibly cheap and easy to rework if you mess up the first knot.

5. Beard and Spur Combo

Combining the beard and the spurs on the same mount tells the whole story of the hunt.

Dangle the turkey beard from the bottom center of your wood plaque using a brass shell casing as a cap. Then, string the spurs on a leather lace and loop them right above the beard.

This keeps all the important parts together in one neat display.

6. Tooled Leather Wrap

It takes about three weeks in borax to completely dry out the tail base.

Once it is totally cured, you can wrap the base in a piece of tooled leather instead of hiding it behind wood. Just wet the leather to make it pliable, fold it over the dried meat, and stitch the back tight with artificial sinew. The leather shrinks as it dries, creating a custom, rock-hard shell around the quills.

7. Burned Wood Plaque

A burned wood mount creates a moody, rustic vibe that stands out against light-colored walls. You simply hit a pine plaque with a propane torch until the grain turns black, then wipe it down with a wire brush. The charred texture contrasts beautifully with the smooth, iridescent bands on the turkey feathers. Seal the whole thing with a clear spray lacquer to lock the soot in place.

8. Shotgun Shell Accent

I always save my favorite shotgun shell from a successful trip to use on the display. Gluing the brass end of the shotgun shell to the center of the fan base adds a simple, personal touch that hides the ugly quill ends.

9. Copper Faceplate

Adding dried wheat and pheasant feathers softens the harsh lines of a massive turkey tail.

You can arrange these extra elements behind a copper faceplate to create a layered, mixed-media look. The metallic shine of the copper highlights the bronze tones hidden in the turkey feathers. Just attach the metal plate with decorative brass tacks for a clean finish.

Why it works: The mixed textures break up the solid wall of black and brown feathers, making the piece feel more like deliberate decor.

10. Metal Silhouette Cover

Most standard metal fan plaques cost under twenty bucks and come pre-drilled for easy hanging. You just slide the dried fan into the metal slot and tighten a single screw to lock it down. These iron or steel covers usually feature cutout silhouettes of turkeys or pine trees. It is the fastest way to get your feathers on the wall if you hate working with wood.

11. Driftwood Mount

A driftwood fan mount delivers a coastal, weathered look that blends right into a modern farmhouse aesthetic. You just notch out a groove in a thick piece of bleached driftwood and epoxy the dried fan directly into the slot.

Why it works: The pale, smooth wood creates a striking visual contrast against the dark, heavily textured feathers.

12. Weathered Fence Post

My husband actually suggested using an old fence post for our last project.

We cut a thick slice of the weathered cedar post and used it as the front cap for the fan. The gray, deeply grooved wood has so much character.

It completely hides the borax clump and gives the mount a rugged, historical feel.

Why it works: Repurposed fence wood already has natural cracks and gray tones that complement outdoor-themed spaces effortlessly.

13. Half-Fan Display

A single turkey tail holds exactly 18 main tail feathers. If you accidentally lose a few during the cleaning process, a half-fan display is the perfect way to salvage the mount. You just arrange the remaining feathers in a tighter, overlapping semi-circle and glue them to a flat backer board. This narrower style fits beautifully on small pillars or skinny wall sections where a full spread would look cramped. To finish this compact design, you will want to grab:

• A small wooden shield plaque
• Hot glue gun
• Decorative upholstery tacks

14. Electrical Tape Base Wrap

Wrap the fleshy base tightly with electrical tape before pinning it to your drying board.

This forces the quill base into a compact shape that is much easier to hide behind a small wooden cap later. You can then cover the tape with a piece of scrap camouflage fabric or felt. It takes two seconds to do but saves you a massive headache when it is time to assemble the final piece.

15. Arrowhead Plaque

An arrowhead shaped plaque gives your display a sharp, traditional hunting aesthetic that looks great in a study or office. You can cut the arrowhead design out of dark walnut and mount the fan right at the wide top edge, letting the beard hang down the pointed center.