"WINGTIP" # 37 Skinning wings another method

[wingman]

Here's a few pics of a method several people inquired about on another posting. Instead of stripping the secondaries off the bone and inverting OR making a incision under the wing here's another way. Work the skin down to the elbow remove the meat, then ''open up'' the area around the secondaries BUT do not strip the secondaries loose, cut the base of the tendons free from the elbow area and grab and pull the tendon toward the wingtip. Borax will give needed ''traction''. After you pull the tendons and meat away the next step is to scrape the remaining flesh and fat out between the bones with a modeling tool kinda like scraping fish cheeks clean, The following pics explain it visually, GOOD LUCK

[Jan George]

I use this method also.  It's much better than detaching the secondaries.  Even an experienced taxidermist who knows where to put the secondaries back in place (if they are detached) can't always make them stay there!

[Fishcrzy]

Wingman, that's how I envisoined it.  I have to to skin out tommorrow.  I'm gonna give it a whirl.

[Adam]

I am assuming this works on small birds as well, just need to be patient and careful??  I am definitely going to try this.

[KAT]

that's the method I use, takes alittle longer but it's worth it.

[Cuts75]

That's the way I've been doing it since 1999. Will that method work on a Goose? I think ther's some meat up past the wrist also. Will be doing my first Canada goose soon. Just need to make what would be the best way to get her done right. Not to sure about the size of rod if I go flying mount. I only see the heavy stuff in the black annealed wire. Pat, California

[Matt]

Great post wingman, thank you for sharing. I have always detatched the secondaries, but I think I will try that method.

[Fishcrzy]

As geese go I think it would if you were careful.  For commercial work I usually embalm that wrist area in a goose though.  There's enough meat to stink for a bit but not enough you that you cant inject it effeciently.  JMO

[birdgirl]

I always make incisions on the wrists of geese, if not they will rot and have odors and be prime hot spots for bug infestations later on.Depending on how it is to be mounted, I will do it on the inside of the wing for standing birds and the outer edge on wings of locked up landing geese.

[George Roof]

I don't remember not having this method as an option.  The only difference to me was whether the bird was flying or setting.  A flying bird makes this a necessity so that the primaries are held in place.  For a standing or setting bird, I simply turn the wing out, fill the void between the bones with clay and then pose. This allows stacking the primaries for appearance.  For the fliers on the bigger birds, I make an incisidon under that last segment and remove that sliver of meat, fill it with DP, and resew it.  On smaller birds, they get 4in1 from Touchstone or PreservzIt from Rittel.

What I like about this method more than functionality, is the fact that I can run my wing wire and tie it down to the bones.  When I get to the end, I can tie and tape it with electrical tape.  This allows me to turn and twist a wing for some specialty pose as in buffleheads pitching into decoys.

[Hook N Stuff]

Thanks for the info on the wings, Ive always stripped them but I will give this a try. Ralph

[BeckyBird]

I tried this last night, and it WORKED!! I have always stripped the secondaries, or made a lousy incision. I have played around with this skinning idea before, but it never really worked for me. Thanks for posting pictures and giving instruction, and I am going to skin my wings out this way every time.

On large wings, I do make an incision on the wingtip, then dry preserve it. Just zap-a-gap the flap of skin back, and it's ready to go.

[tas]

I was showed this method back in 1982 by Ralph Ward of Oklahoma.
It is easy and the best way to tie your wire.
TAS.

[wingman]

Here's the old post Josh, Hope it helps, wingman

[Snow Gooser]

Thanks, again wingman. I am some what new to this. (19 geese) & (8 ducks). This tip is better then asprin. It won't help me right at the moment with the 3 snows that are drying. It'll save me from the headaches in the future.
                                                                                                                 Darwin