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A free printable turkey fan mount template is a practical pattern for creating a wooden plaque or backing piece that displays a preserved turkey tail fan. Instead of estimating the shape by hand, you can print a guide, transfer the outline to wood, and build a mount sized for your fan. Many designs also leave room for the beard, hunt date, location, name, or a small engraved message.
This type of template is useful for turkey hunters, woodworkers, taxidermy hobbyists, and anyone who wants to turn a successful hunt into a keepsake. It is also helpful for beginners because the printed outline provides a starting point for shaping curved edges and checking the proportions before cutting expensive lumber. A simple plaque can be made from plywood, pine, walnut, oak, or suitable scrap wood.
How to Use the Template
- Prepare the fan. Make sure the tail feathers are clean, dry, and arranged in the display position you want. Measure the widest part of the fan before choosing the plaque size.
- Print the pattern. Open the template and print it at its stated scale. If the design is intended for full-size printing, use a larger paper setting or print it across multiple pages and tape the sections together.
- Check the fit. Place the fan over the paper pattern. Adjust the outline if the feathers extend beyond the edges or if you want extra space for a beard holder or label.
- Transfer the outline. Cut out the paper shape and trace it onto the wood. Mark screw locations, mounting holes, and any openings before cutting.
- Cut and finish the plaque. Use a jigsaw, bandsaw, or scroll saw for the curved edges. Sand thoroughly, soften the corners, and apply stain, paint, oil, or clear finish before attaching the fan.
- Attach the display pieces. Secure the fan with screws, tacks, clips, or a front-and-back plate. Add the beard separately if the design includes a notch or holder.
Printing Tips for Accurate Results
- Choose Actual Size or 100% scale in the print dialog.
- Turn off Fit to Page, Scale to Fit, or automatic shrinking.
- Print a test page first and measure a labeled reference line or calibration square.
- Use cardstock for a more durable tracing pattern, especially when transferring several parts.
- For large designs, confirm that tiled pages overlap correctly before taping them together.
- Compare the printed outline with your actual fan; feather width varies from one turkey to another.
A template is a guide rather than a fixed rule. Small changes to the width, shape, or mounting holes can make the finished plaque fit your fan better and give the display a more personal look.
Where to Find and Print Free Printable Turkey Fan Mount Template
Turkey Fan Mount PDF Template
A direct PDF pattern designed for full-size printing on 11-by-17-inch ledger paper for building a turkey fan mount plaque.
Turkey Fan Mount Plans with 1:1 Templates
A detailed woodworking plan page featuring full-size printable templates, diagrams, materials, and assembly guidance for turkey fan and beard mounts.