What would you do? Here are a few pics. This was my first hunt of the year and I had one other mallard and a teal. I also knocked down two more mallards thas swam off I could not recover. So I thought it was a good morning. I should have limited if I had shot a little better. So do I mount a banded bird? First two pics are the banded bird. Last all three.

Congrats.

I would if it was my first banded bird.

of course. congrats!

Are you looking to mount a mallard ? If so I would mount the banded mallard. This part of Texas does not get many banded birds. They are rare in this part of the country. I have hunted in the midwest for years and we saw many more banded birds. I still hunt Ohio every January and we shoot many banded geese. We shot two banded geese in Saskatchewan this year. I have hunted north Texas hard for 23 years and have only shot a handfull of banded birds. I like hanging my jewelry in my man cave and not on my lanyard or mounts. But if I had to do it again I would have mounted my first mallard with a band. Congradulations and good luck in the future to fil your lanyard with jewelry.

mount it

heck yeah. pretty bird too. should make an awesome mount

Cut the band off and cook the bird.

My first bling was on a mallard, he's now on my wall. Congrats!

I would mount it too. Congrats! I look at every webbed foot I see for bands, nada.

It's a good looking bird, I'd mount him. Got my first band (greenhead) on the wall, love looking at it. Get a decent taxi tho, cuz we went cheap, and it doesn't look right. It's still special.

Yup, he would be on the wall!

Mount it, and x2 on getting a good taxidermist.

Congrats!

Yes mount it, you will regret it if you don't, I did.

mount that sucker....

Mount it if you think that this is a special bird to YOU.

Congrats on getting your first band.

Congrats! I would mount it

If it was mine I would spare no expense to get it on the wall. Congrats !!

When I get some bling, it will be on the wall.... even if it's a Spoonie!

If you turn the band number in, let us know where it was from.

Thanks for all the comments and it is in the freezer along with the other mallard just in case they need any spare parts. I did call in the band this morning and they are mailing me a certificate. I could have had it emailed to me, but somehow that just did not sound like the way I wanted the certificate. Maybe I can put the mount on a plaque with the cerificate. How about a recommendation on a taxidermist around the North side of the dfw area. I have seen some of A and R's work on birds and it looked decent.

Bird Works

I'd mount it. And I send the Bird Works recommendation. Matt is the BEST! North side of Downtown Fort Worth.

Yep, Birdworks. He has some pics up in the taxidermy section. Nice guy too, with a true passion for what he does.

x2. mounting a banded bird is overrated.

The first mallard I ever shot was a banded one. I had it mounted on a pedestal mount so that I could set it on the fireplace mantle and be easier to see. Mine is mid air, cupped wings, coming in to land.
Only picture I have handy is the one taken by my taxi when it was still drying.