Turkey Mounts By Reimond Grignon
Turkeys and turkey hunting has become a very popular sport in Maine at
the present time. These birds used to be non existent in Maine until a
number of birds were stocked a few years ago. The birds numbers have
skyrocketed.
In the past several years the numbers of these birds have risen so fast that they are now becoming a nuisance in many areas. To help control the population, the fish and wildlife department started Turkey hunting seasons.
I always try to paint the turkey heads so that they look completely natural. Turkeys in strut sometimes have very vivid heads. They are all different.
Turkey numbers have now grown in Maine to the point where in some places farmers are seeing flocks of 100 to 150 birds feeding on their grain.
Farmers can no longer stand this loss and have asked the fish and wildlife department to do something.
If the fall hunting season doesn't help to control the population, the fish and wildlife department may have to hire shooters to get rid of the birds, as they have done to the deer herds on many of Maine's islands.
Turkey tails are mounted on boards and usually include the beard. Sometimes the feet are also included. There are various styles of boards used. The one shown here has a laser engraved insignia detailed into the board.
Sometimes turkey breasts and the heads are mounted on a panel with the tails fanned out behind. These also make for striking mounts and are quite popular. At Grignon's Taxidermy many types of mounts like these are done and finished for hunters.
The mount above is actually a quite difficult mount to pull off! It takes a lot of time to get all those feathers in just the right place and hold them there. Then there's the head and breast to mount. You also don't see all the wood work under neath the mount above used to hold everything in place. But it sure looks stunning!
