WING"TIPS" #5 grouse airsacs

[wingman]

Here's a method I use to recreate airsacs on grouse. I actually use several different methods But this method is probably the best method for commercial work as it's a lot less time consuming. Basically mount up your grouse in the normal manner taking into consideration the neck positioning and the degree of ''sac'' inflation. I carve out a foam airsac to pin in place on the neck of the bird Blue foam works best but regular yellow will work as long as it isn't ''fresh" The gasses in the foam will cause airbubbles in the sculptall later.Anyway, after the bird is dry I remove the foam and cover it in sculptall texture accordingly, paint and hot glue back in position on the neck, Groom the feathers back around the sac and thats basically it. The following pictures are of a wholesale male Sage grouse and a yet to be done Sharptail and mostly done prairie chicken. The chicken was done with another method but the same principle. Hopefully will get pics of eyecomb reproduction if time allows

[wingman]

And a couple more

[wingman]

And a Blue grouse done for a client with reproduction ''cast'' sacs.

[JonHarleTX]

great post.. and just what are you using to sculpt in the detal on the individual speices.  I know they all differ in appearance.

I've heard scrap leather, avacado skins, citrus skin, etc etc..

Jon~

[jeremy]

Very cool Wingman, I get about 2 sage grouse a year in the shop. Unfortunatly they are harvested in sept when they still have a lot of pin feathers. I will try this method next year if any come in. Are you just cutting the old sacs away

[ludvik]

thx for sharing your tips wingman
very nice birds!!!
 wating for the eyecombs tips and what you using to sculpt it.

ludvik

[mimes]

As always, great work wingman! I never get any of these birds in the shop, but it is always good to know these tips. These wingman "tips" posts now have me checking the forum everyday for new ideas. Keep them coming!

[wingman]

Hey Jon the sculpting on the sacs is varied, I textured the sage sacs by hand the prairie chicken I stretched leather over the foam, cast them and then poured out of bondo, the blue grouse I cast some fruit which is supposed to ''repel spiders'' Haven't a clue what it was and have not seen one since BUT it did replicate killer blue grouse sacs The methods of replicating texture I think are limitless.

[SteveP]

the blue grouse I cast some fruit which is supposed to ''repel spiders'' Haven't a clue what it was and have not seen one since BUT it did replicate killer blue grouse sacs.

Wingman, I believe the fruit that you are referring is called, among many similar names, "osage orange" and "hedge apple". I've seen them for sale in late summer and early fall in hardware and grocery stores. From what I've seen and according to Wikipedia, they don't repel arachnids or insects, so it's good to see they are useful for something besides carrying seeds for more of those prickly trees. Thanks for these GREAT WING"TIPS". This novice is appreciative.