Bigtimer

J.W. was kind enough to send me a fan from one of his birds last year so that I could use the tail feathers to use in the plastic holder that came with my B-Mobile. Well, the fan got wet last year and I thought that I'd just get it out before the season, wet it, blow dry it and that would be that. WRONG!!! I'm obviously doing something wrong as there are gaps in the "spread" and it doesn't look good at all. Has anyone cleaned or dried their tail fan? If so, is there a trick to it?

SwampCollie

Big are you referring to the gaps that create a 'half a pizza' type look? That splits the fan into groups of four feathers? If you are.... that is pretty normal with B Mobile and I wouldn't sweat it. None of the turkeys I've shot over him have given a rip. Gobblers in the wild have missing and broken tail feathers on a fairly regular basis. If that isn't what you are referring too, then maybe if you could put a picture up so I could see what you are dealing with I could help out a bit more.

Bigtimer

I sprayed it down with fabric softener and have it hanging in front of the fan. I'll let you know what it looks like when it dries. Swampcollie, it looks like the sides of the feathers are curled up. I have to be careful cause "Big-B" is real sensitive about his tail feathers. Dang, I'm getting anal in my old age.

JW

In the future for long term storage - Lay it out flat - do not fold and but place fan flat between to large pieces of cardboard.
If you store in the garage like I do I add a moth ball or two to them.

Good thing turkeys have no keen sense of smell!

JW

RIStrutStopper

Not sure if this will help, but you might try steaming the feathers. Works on arrows

kdsberman

If you need a new fan let me know. I was planning on mounting last years bird, but my cat got a hold of the beard. So whats a mount without the beard?

SwampCollie

Sounds like a decoy.

kdsberman

I wont be using it as a decoy, i dont even really use decoys anyway.

Bigtimer

I'm afraid I've ruined it but have learned a very valuable lesson. kdsberman, I'll be sending you a PM.

kdsberman

Sounds good, ill double check that i still have it in a box before i turn myself into a liar.