Turkey Mount Styles: Strutting, Flying, Standing and Fan Mounts
A gobbler can be mounted a half dozen different ways, and the right choice usually comes down to the wall or corner you have waiting at home. Here is how the main wild turkey taxidermy poses compare on drama, space and cost — plus how to care for the bird between the field and the studio.
Full strut mounts
The full strut is the pose most hunters picture: fan wide open, wings dropped and rolled against the ground, breast feathers raised, head tucked back with the snood down and the caruncles flushed. It is the signature spring turkey image and the most requested mount we do.
Space: an open fan spans roughly 30 inches, and a floor or pedestal strut needs similar depth so the dropped wings are not crowded. Wall-hung struts project 12 to 18 inches from the wall.
Best for: a first mature tom, a corner or floor display, and rooms with an open footprint.
Note: the head is the piece that sells a strut. Bring the bird in with the head undamaged and unfrozen against a hard surface if you can.
Half strut and standing mounts
A half strut opens the fan partway with the wings only slightly dropped — the bird as he looks moving between displays. A standing or alert pose closes the fan entirely and stretches the neck, the way a tom looks when he catches movement across a field.
Space: roughly half the width of a full strut. Both fit a shelf, a hearth or a narrow pedestal.
Best for: second and third birds, tighter rooms, and hunters who want the neck, beard and leg detail visible instead of hidden behind the fan.
Flying and flying-down mounts
A flying mount catches the bird coming off the roost or sailing across a creek bottom with wings fully extended. It is the most dramatic turkey pose and the least common, because it needs both span and height.
Space: four to five feet of wingspan for a mature tom, plus ceiling clearance and a hanging point strong enough for the mount and its bracket.
Best for: great rooms, lodges, stairwells and vaulted ceilings.
Fan, beard and spur mounts
A fan mount preserves the tail fan, beard and usually the spurs on a finished plaque with an engraved plate for the date, county and weights. It is compact, affordable and easy to group — many hunters run a row of them and reserve a full mount for a standout bird.
Space: about 18 to 24 inches of wall width per plaque.
Best for: annual birds, youth hunts, and anyone who wants a record of every season without filling a room.
Quick comparison
| Style | Space needed | Shows off | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full strut | Highest — ~30 in. fan and depth | Fan, head color, body mass | Trophy tom, floor or corner display |
| Half strut / standing | Moderate — shelf or pedestal | Neck, beard, legs and spurs | Second birds, tighter rooms |
| Flying | Highest — 4–5 ft. wingspan, height | Wings and underwing barring | Great rooms, stairwells, lodges |
| Fan and beard | Lowest — single plaque | Fan, beard, spurs and hunt data | Yearly birds, grouped displays |
Field care before you bring the bird in
Turkeys are mounted in warm weather, so speed matters more than it does with fall game. Do not gut or breast out a bird destined for a full mount. Keep blood off the feathers, avoid dragging the bird, and protect the head and beard.
Smooth the feathers, slide the bird head-first into a large plastic bag or contractor bag, press the air out and freeze it whole as soon as you can. If a full mount is not in the plan, we can still save the fan, beard and spurs — just keep them attached and frozen.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a full strut turkey mount?
- A full strut mount shows the gobbler as he displays: tail fan open, wings dropped and rolled, breast puffed and head drawn back. It is the most popular turkey pose and the most demanding on space, because the open fan alone is roughly 30 inches across.
- How much room does a strutting turkey mount need?
- Plan on about 30 to 36 inches of width and depth for a floor or pedestal strut, and 36 inches or more of clear wall for a wall-hung strut. Half strut and standing poses cut that requirement roughly in half.
- What is a fan and beard mount?
- A fan mount preserves the tail fan, beard and often the spurs on a wood plaque with an engraved plate. It is the most affordable and compact way to keep a bird, and a common choice for a second or third gobbler once a full mount is already on the wall.
- Can a flying turkey be mounted?
- Yes. A flying or flying-down mount catches the bird coming off the roost with wings extended and is dramatic in a room with height. It needs the full wingspan — four to five feet for a mature tom — plus ceiling clearance and a solid hanging point.
- How should I care for a turkey before bringing it in?
- Do not gut or breast out the bird if you want a full mount. Keep the head and beard clean, avoid dragging the bird, smooth the feathers, slide it head-first into a large plastic bag with the air pressed out, and freeze it as soon as possible. Cool the bird quickly on warm spring days.
Ready to talk about your gobbler?
Tell us the pose you have in mind and the space you have for it, and we will tell you what your bird will wear best — two Wisconsin locations, and turkey work going back to 1978.
This species directory is part of Taxidermy Planet — our main website, where you'll find our full services, pricing information and shop details.