I am going to attempt a waterfowl mount and see how it goes. I have several birds in the freezer that I shot this year and want them mounted. However, I will start with the least "aesthetic" specimen.

I ordered a DVD on waterfowl taxidermy and while it was helpful, it was also somewhat of a joke. They didn't elaborate on the "dry rub" they were using which I guess may be baking soda???

Also, they did not cover any flying mounts. Just a single sitting woodie. Can you fellas enlighten me on this dry rub and maybe a youtube video that would cover a flying mount?

Also, the video does not say, does the whole process need to be done in a day or can it be done over a few days.

I have my mount kit coming from McKenzie. I will post pics no matter how horrible of my project.

Thanks

Good luck! I will stay tuned to this. I would like to learn how to do it as well, just for the fun of it. I will leave the actual mounting of my "trophies" to the professional (BirdWorks)!

I agree but what the heck. I mean, its just a cool looking spoonie. Either I will really enjoy it and do a decent job or will hate it with a passion, do a terrible job and take them to Birdworks. I gotta give it a try though.

BTW: UPS to deliver the manikin today, so I will get the bird started thawing. I will take progress pics if interested.

Always thought it would be interesting. Put up some progress pics if you get the chance!!!

You can spread it out over a few days. You can refreeze or even stick in the fridge. The "dry rub" you are referring to is probably borax.

I, too, have done this... and I have done about 15 ducks and 3 pheasants. After a little practice, they actually turn out pretty good. The pheasants look the best... but I have a pintail, woodduck and a hooded merganser in my office that look just fine by me. I would recommend spending the extra cash for the heads that come with the eyes installed and the painted bill... they're about $30 but the time and hassle they save are well worth the expense... I will try to post some pictures and see what ya'll think of them.

Post em up.

OK, let's see if I can get these to post....
The pintail is the first one I ever tried, then there is a wood duck and a hooded merganser.... I am planning to do a redhead and a green-winged, a pheasant and another wood duck when I get some time...

You'll never know until you try...Good Luck on your first!

The dry rub is just granular or powdered borax. It works great as long as you get all the fat off the skin. If you don't get all the fat off it will leak onto the feathers over time and look rough. Do a careful job leaving as much bone as you can too, it will make the legs and wings look more natural when you bend them with the wires.

Nice looking work GoatBoy. How many did you do before you did those?

I did find out the dry rub is Borax. I bout the "20 Mule Team" at my local store.

Here's a question, when and why do you use a fake head? I bought a kit that came from McKenzie for my Spoonie test bird. Starting to paint it now. I definitely need better brushes since mine are leaving strokes.

The fake heads are nice because there is no shrinkage and its easier to clean them when you can cut around the bill and remove the skin over the head. Dont have to worry about tearing the skin.

I like the manufactured heads because you don't have to deal with all the nastiness of the eyes and the brain ect... easier to paint the bill too. Make sure and get as much of the fat and grease off the inside of the skin and get as much meat as possible out of the wings. The pintail pictured is the first one I ever tried and it was about 5 years ago. The woody and merganser have been done in the last year or two.....