Preservation
Turkey Spur Preservation
Long, curved, hooked, or sharp — spurs are half the story of a bird. Here's how to keep them looking right.
Spurs on a full mount
When your bird gets mounted, we clean, degrease, and condition each spur in place on the leg. Nothing needs to be cut off. Well-conditioned spurs hold their color and edge for decades on the finished mount.
Standalone spur displays
A lot of hunters want a set of spurs on their own — either mounted on a small hardwood plaque, integrated into a shadow box with the beard, or used as pendants, keychains, or knife-handle inlays.
- Spur plaques on walnut, oak, or cedar.
- Shadow boxes with beard, spurs, and hunt data.
- Spur pendants and jewelry (custom, on request).
Removing and preserving spurs yourself
If you're removing spurs from a bird that isn't being mounted, cut the leg bone about an inch above and below the spur, clean out all the marrow and tissue with a wire, and let the bone dry completely (usually 1–2 weeks in a warm, dry spot). Sealing with clear satin polyurethane once fully dry keeps the color true.
What makes a great spur
Length matters, but curl and sharpness matter more. A 1 1/2-inch dagger spur is a lifetime bird. Even shorter spurs — 1 to 1 1/4 inches — can be beautifully preserved, especially on a shadow box that puts them alongside the beard and a hunt photo.
Contact us with photos of your spurs and we'll recommend a display that fits.
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