need help on turky tail

Get a pair of dykes (that's diagonal side cutting pliers in case you don't know the jargon) and cut each feather off as close to the tail butt as you can. Lay them down IN ORDER and tape them so they don't get mixed up. Then get a piece of cardboard and draw concentric circles on it out to about 12 inchs from the center. Lay the first tail feather down so the end meets that outside line and the base is pointed to the center of the circle. Hot glue it and continue to build your fan Then cover with the secondary/covert fan feathers the same way. When complete, go on the back side and remove all the excess cardboard.

Thank Paul Thompson (Low T) for this hint. I know it's in the archives someplace but in this instance, it was just easier to write it out.

 

T's tut is on Vanhelden Game Calls web site. He moved it from here to there.

 

there are at least 3 ways to realign tails on a turkey 1st look for markings on the broad dark band there may be a tinge of copper coloring appearing on 1 side or another follow these they will get larger or smaller in succesion. 2nd tail feathers get longer toward the middle 3rd the quill will be more towards the center of the feather as it goes to the center Just grasp the whole tail and cut between the quills then scrape off the turkey jerkey from each feather. This will leave you with more quill for the hot melt glue to adhere to.

 

Thanks Alan. That's good stuff there.