---
title: "DIY Beard Mounts"
description: "Turn your turkey beard into a trophy that will last a lifetime."
date: "2010-05-24"
modified: "2010-05-24"
authors:
  - name: "Robert L. Bryant"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/robert-l-bryant/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/diy/2010/05/diy-beard-mounts/"
categories:
  - "Hunting"
  - "Turkey Hunting"
---

# DIY Beard Mounts

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/L5QLS5B4SCUEP3JTERYTOX6FYE.jpg>)

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_001.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/OVNBWI2PL2RIL5HHEJQA2O7RSM.jpg>)
*Over the years I've known many turkey hunters who have a cigar box or a drawer full of turkey beards and assorted spurs. In most cases the beards have not been preserved in any form and many are in a dismal state. I have actually seen beards where the base disintegrated and all that was left was a handful of loose hairs. With a small amount of work this could have been prevented and the hunter would still have a fine trophy to remember.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_003.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/V473ZIXB5FFZZ6T73V5ROAUUHM.jpg>)
*I like to preserve and mount my beards, spurs and shotgun shells together and have found a very simple method that works quite well.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_006.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/MBJVRYTVK7NHLWDOB5KSPW4K6A.jpg>)
*Along with your beard, spurs and shotgun shell, you will need the following items: 12-inch section o 2x4 Drill with 5/16 and 3/8 bits Old arrow or wooden dowel Salt Borax Hammer Nail Boot lace Silicone ealant Plastic clothespin Scissors Pencil Towels*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_007.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/OBMS6DOB5ECZBJMO2YWGE5DHPM.jpg>)
*After taking your gobbler, grab the tom's beard at the root, where it meets the chest, and tug it out. Then, take a hacksaw and make two cuts as close as possible above and below the spur on each leg. Take a wooden match or similar object and push the marrow out of the bone. You should have two round holes running through each leg section. Put about one-half inch of salt in a styrofoam cup and add the beard and spurs making sure to coat each with salt.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_010.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/THVEANNAKEESZCR4KORVQYGIUQ.jpg>)
*After a week or so, remove the beard and spurs and break off the ball of hardened salt that will likely be attached to them. Replace with a new salt/Borax mixture and let stand for at least two months.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_013.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/X334GSTWTTTOKM5ZTGODQ3C7QA.jpg>)
*When you're beard and spurs are prepped, place a nail in the shotgun shell hull and position it over a 3/8-inch hole in your 2x4.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_014.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/LMX75QJEKZLQCKPHZ4DJXGY5SA.jpg>)
*Tap the primer out with a hammer.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_016.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/BAJMKTWT6QAXW537675PUQR7JQ.jpg>)
*Next, cut a 26-inch length of leather boot lace and thread the lace through your spurs using the hole in the leg bone as a guide.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_017.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/2CBM3MQKIJKRU4Y37OMWHIHG6E.jpg>)
*Push both ends o the lacing up through the primer hole*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_020.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/WLCBEI2UX3JZRTKXV2GUSR57IQ.jpg>)
*Pull the lacing through the hull and tie a knot. Completely cover the knot with silicone.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_022.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/LVHMTTEU764NMIKYTQQ6SZWCWU.jpg>)
*Pull the lacing back through the knot.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_024.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/ZTM43R5YCPEOGT4R42WL7K6CH4.jpg>)
*Now, cut a piece of shop towel about two inches wide.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_026.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/XDE2US44FIFOU54QQTDZJSGFAI.jpg>)
*Fill the center of the towel with silicone.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_027.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/SJ3NDGWZRDOKF2JUB3EA5BKSTU.jpg>)
*Fold the halves of the towel in half length-wise.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_029.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/JTCEH7OFWUBBIH667ZHJCQZHNY.jpg>)
*Push the folded shop towel and silicone.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_030.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/VD7JEE6Q6D4UAZ4GRV45WCPHY4.jpg>)
*Depending on the gauge and length of your hull, you may need more or less filler.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_031.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/CIVTQSF6QLRAXRXXWYRLXDFVX4.jpg>)
*I like to top my hull off with a layer of silicone stopping at the bottom of the crimp.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_037.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/JQVPLRFWSX4XI7JD34FG624GLM.jpg>)
*Using a 2x4 and and arrow (or dowel), clamp the hull to the arrow with your plastic clothespins to hold it upright.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Robert_Bryant_040.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/AXMU3CGPPYNVJYOTPPKDG7KXGE.jpg>)
*Wait 48 hours and remove your trophy.*

Turn your turkey beard into a trophy that will last a lifetime.