There is the bone thats in the fan when you cut it from the body and i was wondering if you have to take it out or can you leave it in?

Take off all the bone and meat you can. It will dry much faster. Use borax. I'm going to post pics with the steps on how to properly mount a fan.

Anyone build their own plaques? I have a fan drying now, however canot find a plaque that I like that will display the bird nicely. If you can would you post pics and maybe a how to?

I like the "napkin holder" style. I just set it on a dresser, pie cupboard etc.

Any ideas on how to mount one that I kept most of the back feathers attached to the fan?

Here's the way I did my best one back in 2006 and the plaque was purchased from Cabelas. I think if I know what you're talking about and maybe you could take the back skin up over the top of the outer piece that holds the fan and then pin it in place. I love the way mine turned out. He was 23 3/4#, 10 1/2" beard, 1 1/2" sharp spurs, and the fan measures 30" wide and 20" high, by far the biggest fan on any longbeard I've ever shot.
sixgunluvr---I really like that napkin holder one in your post and am going to do that with a Rio Grande longbeard fan that I shot in Texas two years ago and still haven't put him up. I think that will be cool up at my northern cabin as a centerpiece on the dining room table. Thanks!