I've done quite a few turkey tail and beard presentations, generally using plaques from Van Dykes. These are the round plaques that have a small round in the center which has a half-cut on the back side for the base of the tail and a small cut-out at the bottom for the beard. Each time I do one I always puzzle over how best to present the beard. The beard has a natural curve to it extending out from the breast, and the "root" of the beard is more narrow side to side than front to back. I generally wind up flattening the curve in the beard up against the lower portion of the main plaque. I was just curious as to how others deal with the beard and what might make the best presentation.
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Bill
I come across this same situation every time I do a plaque-I use the same style of plaque. The beards with a slight curve I turn so the curve goes into the face of the plaque as do you. These I end up dremeling out a deeper pocket so the end fits better. Last month I had one that had an incredible curve to it and wanted to show this. All I do is turn the beard so that the beard is centered from side to side meaning the outward curve will be as close to the outside of the plaque as will the bottom of the beard to the opposite side.
John
It seems like most of my clients are more interested in the total length than they are in the curve, so I dip the beards in very hot water for a few seconds and then let them dry.
I have more trouble with multiple beards, especially 3 or more. There just isn't a good way to display them if some of them are tiny, and I want to leave them attached to their strip of skin to show that they are truly from one turkey. I'm working on figuring something out, though ....
The reason I ask is because that procedure is going to be in the next OUTLOOK Magazine. II never "straighten them out". Order one of the foot ferrules from Van Dykes (I use the ornate one). Then I modify it. I take a dollop of Bondo mixed hot and put it in a piece of plastic freezer wrap. Then I set the ferrule down over it an make a Bondo balloon inside the ferrule opening. When the bondo kicks off, I quickly remove it from the ferrule and peel the plastic, trim it and then cut a 3/8 inch slot in the bottom half going from the center to the outside. I reinstall the "balloon" in the ferrule and put a small amount of epoxy paste in the open slot. I push the beard back into the slot and let the epoxy ooze out. I smooth it out with a wet finger. The beard now emanates from the ferrule outward and then hangs down naturally. When I epoxy the ferrule/beard on the plaque covering the tail, the beard looks in a natural posture.
Good ideas and observations, as usual on this board. George, I am an NTA member so will be looking for that article. I like the ferrule idea so I'll give it a try.