There's nothing quite like the feeling of seeing one of those perfect strutting turkey mounts on the wall and remembering exactly how that hunt went down. It's that split second when the woods go silent, the brush rustles, and suddenly this massive, iridescent bird pops into the clear, puffed up like he owns the place. If you've been lucky enough to bag a longbeard that's truly special, you probably want to do more than just throw the fan on a plaque and call it a day. You want to freeze that moment in time.
Choosing a full strut mount is a big decision, mostly because they take up a fair amount of real estate in your house. But when they're done right, they are the absolute centerpiece of a room. Let's talk about what makes these mounts so special and what you should keep in mind before you drop your bird off at the taxidermist.
Why the Full Strut is the King of Mounts
When you look at all the different ways to display a gobbler—standing, flying, roosting, or even a simple rug—the full strut is usually the one that stops people in their tracks. It's the classic image of a wild turkey. You get to see the full spread of the tail fan, the way the wings drag on the ground, and that arrogant tilt of the head that every turkey hunter knows all too well.
The cool thing about strutting turkey mounts is that they show off every single detail of the bird. You aren't just seeing the beard or the spurs; you're seeing the way the light hits those bronze and green feathers on the breast. It's a 360-degree look at the bird's best features. Plus, it's a great way to hide any minor feather damage from the shot, since everything is puffed out and layered.
Preparing Your Bird in the Field
If you know you want a full strut mount, the work starts the second you walk up to that bird on the ground. I've seen too many guys ruin a potentially beautiful mount because they were too excited and just tossed the turkey in the back of the truck like a bag of mulch.
First off, don't carry the turkey over your shoulder by its legs. You'll end up rubbing off those delicate feathers on the neck and back, and you might even break some of the primary wing feathers. Instead, pick him up by the feet and carry him out carefully, or better yet, put him in a turkey vest with a dedicated bird cradle.
Keep some paper towels or a rag in your pack. If there's blood, try to soak it up as soon as possible. Blood isn't the end of the world—taxidermists are magicians with soap and water—but the less staining you have, the better the final result will look. Once you get home, don't let it sit in the sun. Get it cooled down, and if you aren't headed straight to the taxidermist, wrap it carefully in a large plastic bag, making sure the feathers stay flat, and get it in the freezer.
Finding the Right Taxidermist
This is where you don't want to be a cheapskate. I'm serious. We've all seen those "budget" turkey mounts that look like a startled chicken or a weirdly shaped football. Turkeys are notoriously difficult to mount because their skin is thin and their anatomy is complex.
When you're looking for someone to handle your strutting turkey mounts, ask to see their previous work. Don't just look at photos on a website—go to their shop. Look at the heads. A lot of taxidermists use pre-painted freeze-dried heads, while others hand-paint them. Both can look great, but you want to make sure the colors look natural. If the head looks like it was painted with a neon highlighter, walk away.
Also, look at the "flow" of the feathers. On a strutting bird, everything should look symmetrical and full. If you see gaps where you can see the skin underneath, or if the tail fan looks crooked, that's a red flag. You're paying for an artist, so make sure their style matches what you're looking for.
Deciding on the Base and Pose
One of the best parts about a full strut mount is that you can get creative with the base. You aren't just limited to a flat piece of wood. Think about the terrain where you actually hunted the bird. Was it in a pine forest? A grassy field? An old logging road?
- Floor Mounts: These are great if you have a dedicated trophy room or a corner that needs some life. You can add dirt, leaves, mossy logs, or even some spent shotgun shells to give it a "story" feel.
- Wall Mounts: If you're tight on floor space, a wall-mounted strutting turkey can look incredible. These usually sit on a piece of driftwood or a simulated limb. It gives the bird a bit of height and keeps it away from curious pets or vacuum cleaners.
- Corner Poses: You can have the bird quartering toward the room or tucked into a corner. A slight turn of the head can make the mount look like it's actually looking at you, which adds a lot of personality.
The Cost and the Wait
Let's be real for a second: a high-quality turkey mount is an investment. It's going to cost significantly more than a deer head. Why? Because the labor is intense. Cleaning the fat off a turkey skin takes hours of tedious work, and "setting" the feathers so they look perfect is an art form.
Expect to pay anywhere from $600 to over $1,000 depending on the taxidermist's skill and the complexity of the base. And don't expect it back in a month. A good taxidermist usually has a backlog. If they tell you it'll take eight months to a year, that's actually a good sign. It means they're in demand and they're taking the time to do it right. It's better to wait a year for a masterpiece than to get a mediocre bird back in twelve weeks.
Maintaining Your Mount
Once you finally get that beautiful bird back and it's sitting in your living room, the work isn't quite over. Dust is the enemy of strutting turkey mounts. Over time, dust will settle into the feathers and make them look dull and gray.
Every couple of months, take a very soft feather duster or a gentle puff of compressed air (from a distance!) to knock the dust off. Don't use cleaning chemicals or wet cloths, as you'll just mat the feathers down. If you live in a place with high humidity, you might want to keep a dehumidifier in the room to prevent any issues with the skin or the base.
Also, keep it out of direct sunlight. Those iridescent greens and bronzes are beautiful, but UV rays will bleach them out over a few years, leaving you with a faded, ghost-like turkey. Stick him in a spot with good indirect light so you can still see the shimmer without the sun damage.
The Memories on the Wall
At the end of the day, a turkey mount is about more than just home decor. It's a conversation starter. When a buddy comes over and sees that bird, you aren't just talking about taxidermy; you're talking about that 5:00 AM wake-up call, the sound of the woods waking up, and that heart-pounding moment the bird finally committed.
Whether it's your first big tom or a bird that gave you the slip for three seasons before you finally closed the deal, strutting turkey mounts are the ultimate way to honor the animal. They capture the spirit of the spring woods in a way that a simple photo just can't. So, take your time, do your research, and make sure that bird gets the display he deserves. You worked hard for him; you might as well make sure he looks his best for years to come.