Video: How to Mount a Turkey Cape and Fan

Ask MeatEater: How Do You Make a Skull Mount?

For thousands of years, hunters have been mounting antlers, horns and all manner of animal skulls on their walls to celebrate the memory of a successful hunt. For many hunters, that requires a trip to the taxidermist. At MeatEater, we appreciate shoulder and full body mounts but for displaying trophies in our homes, a lot of us prefer making our own European skull mounts, or “freedom mounts,” as Steven Rinella likes to call them. Since we get so...

Photos: How to Make a Pheasant Tail Mount

Rooster ring-necked pheasants are the most beautiful upland game bird. You can’t change my mind. I’m likely biased because I’m a native South Dakotan who’s been lucky enough to chase these birds for over three decades. But even after all these years, I’m still in awe every time I pick one up. The colors, patterns, and sheer splendor found on a mature rooster make each a trophy in its own right. That said, when it comes time to clean a bird, I...

How to Make a Turkey Tail Fan

This turkey season, keep more than the breasts and legs. With a few household items, you can turn the tail into a decoration for your house or a decoy to use in upcoming turkey seasons. All you need is a big enough piece of cardboard, salt (or borax), a knife, some push pins, and time.