Mounting/preserving beards

[Cooter]

In the past I've used a two-part epoxy type mix to cap the ends to prevent them from falling apart. Works fine, just wondering if there are any other options people have been using.

[Tippman]

I've kept beards about the last 10 years I've been hunting turkeys in envelopes without doing anything. Just pulled the first ones out and can't say I can really tell a difference from when I put them in there. Someday I'll have to do something with them all.

[Cooter]

I pulled an old one out and lost half the bristles on it almost instantly - put zip ties on em for now.

[Scott M]

A friend of mine glues them into the shot shell casing that he took the bird with. It's kind of a neat little display he has.

[Powerstroke]

I suppose it depends on how much skin/meat you cut off around the beard. I cut mine out and used borax on it in preparation for my mount. I've never done anything else to it and it is still in great shape. I've moved it and manipulated it several times with different mounting plaques and I've never lost a bristle.

[Wallydog]

Powerstroke, Just grasp the beard firmly as close to the base/root as you can and give a tug. No need for cutting anything and it minimizes the fat near the base that attracts vermin. I also put a dab of clear silicon on the base to further insure against seperation & vermin. Then insert in the shell casing with a stipped down breast feather and put on the shelf by the rest of them! don't forget to write on the brass with a sharpie the harvest date.

WD

[Powerstroke]

Thanks for the tip wally. IS that how it works with those "multi-beard" birds you seem to get in ID?!?

I hope to get more than one beard on my bragging board.

[Wallydog]

Yep and periodically one has the chance of "multiple plucks"!

WD