Deciding how to display your bird after a successful spring season usually starts with looking at different eastern wild turkey mounts to see what fits your space and your budget. There's nothing quite like the feeling of finally outsmarting a stubborn longbeard, and once the meat is in the freezer, you're left with a gorgeous set of feathers that deserves more than just a dusty spot in the garage. Whether it's your first bird or a true trophy you spent years chasing, the way you choose to preserve it says a lot about the hunt itself.
The Classic Full Strut Display
If you have the floor space, it's hard to beat a full strut mount. This is the "classic" look that most hunters picture when they think of taxidermy. It captures the bird in its most iconic state—puffed out, tail fanned, and wings dragging. It's a statement piece, for sure. When you look at high-quality eastern wild turkey mounts in this pose, you really get to see the iridescent copper and green sheen that these birds are famous for.
One thing to keep in mind with a full strut is the sheer size. A mature eastern tom is a big bird, and once those feathers are flared out, it takes up a lot of "real estate" in a room. You'll want a solid base, too. A lot of guys like to incorporate a bit of the woods into the mount—maybe some dried leaves, a piece of old fence post, or even a fake turkey hen to make the scene look more natural. It's all about recreating that moment right before you pulled the trigger.
Flying and Banking Mounts
Sometimes a bird looks better on the wall than sitting on a pedestal. Flying or banking mounts are a great way to save floor space while still showing off the full bird. A "banking" mount is basically the bird in mid-air, tilted slightly to one side as if it's turning. This is a killer way to show off the wing feathers and the length of the beard without it sticking out three feet from the wall.
I've seen some incredible eastern wild turkey mounts where the bird is "gobbling on the roost." It's a vertical mount where the turkey is perched on a limb, neck stretched out, looking like it's about to wake up the whole county. It's a bit more unique than the standard strut, and it captures the vocal energy of a spring morning. Just make sure your taxidermist is good with "expression," because a gobbling bird can look a little goofy if the mouth and throat aren't shaped just right.
Fan, Beard, and Spur Plaques
Let's be honest: not everyone has the cash or the room for a full-body mount every single year. That's where the fan and beard plaques come in. They're classic, affordable, and you can actually do a decent job on these yourself if you're patient. A simple wooden plaque with the tail fan spread out and the beard hanging below is a great way to remember a hunt without breaking the bank.
To spice things up, a lot of hunters are moving toward shadow boxes. Instead of just a fan on a board, you put the fan, the beard, the spurs, and maybe even the spent shell casing or a photo from the hunt inside a glass-fronted box. It keeps the dust off the feathers and makes it look like a piece of professional art. If you're dealing with a particularly big set of spurs, you might even want to string them onto the beard with some leather cord to give it that traditional look.
Finding the Right Taxidermist
This is the part where you don't want to get cheap. We've all seen those "nightmare" mounts where the turkey looks like it's been through a vacuum sealer or has googly eyes. When you're looking for someone to handle your eastern wild turkey mounts, ask to see their previous work specifically with turkeys. Birds are notoriously difficult to do well because the skin is thin and the feather alignment has to be perfect.
Check the head. Most taxidermists use a freeze-dried head or a high-quality synthetic one. A painted head should look alive—vibrant reds, blues, and whites—not like a piece of plastic. Also, look at the "cape" or the neck area. If you see lots of gaps or skin showing through the feathers, that's a red flag. A good mount should look "plump" and natural, not skeletal.
Creative "Dead Hang" Options
A style that's been gaining a lot of popularity lately is the "dead hang" mount. It's exactly what it sounds like—the bird is mounted hanging by its feet, usually from a rustic barn-wood plaque or an old fence post. It looks like the photos you see in old hunting journals from the early 1900s.
It's a very "classy" look that fits well in a den or a home office. It's also a bit more subtle than a full-strut bird. You still get to see the beauty of the feathers, but it feels a bit more like a still-life painting. Plus, it's a great conversation starter for people who might not be used to seeing full-blown taxidermy in a house.
Maintenance and Care
Once you get your mount home, the work isn't quite over. You've got to protect your investment. The biggest enemies of eastern wild turkey mounts are sunlight, dust, and bugs. Direct sunlight will bleach those beautiful feathers over time, turning a deep metallic green into a dull brown. Try to keep it in a spot where the sun isn't hitting it directly for hours every day.
As for dust, a light touch with a feather duster or a soft paintbrush once a month will keep it looking fresh. If you've got a full-body mount, some people swear by using a hairdryer on the "cool" and "low" setting to gently blow dust out of the feathers. And keep an eye out for moths or beetles. If you start seeing little piles of "sawdust" or loose feathers under the mount, you might have a pest problem that needs a professional's attention.
Making it Personal
At the end of the day, the best eastern wild turkey mounts are the ones that tell a story. Maybe you add the specific rock you were sitting on, or a piece of wood from the farm where you've hunted for twenty years. Some guys like to include the actual spurs mounted on the legs, while others prefer to have the legs tucked away.
It's your trophy. Whether it's a massive 25-pounder with a double beard or a hard-earned bird that gave you the slip for three seasons, the mount should make you smile every time you walk past it. It's a way to bring a piece of the spring woods indoors, keeping that memory of the first gobble at dawn alive all year long. Don't be afraid to get a little creative with it—after all, you're the one who's going to be looking at it for the next few decades.