Started doing taxidermy in January, Looking for any type of sea duck....scooter...eider...or even a pen raised Mandrine drake to mount. I realize the federal laws prohibit sales on most ducks, but looking for a kind hearted person who is willing to give what they might to a very eager inspirering taxidermist.....thanks Rick
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but i dont get handouts save your money and bye them
First of all that doesn't work, I've tried it. Never hurts to try, though. Next Mandarins aren't sea ducks. There is nothing illegal about selling waterfowl. Many many people, including myself, sell waterfowl and other gamebirds. Check www.gbwf.net for a fairly good sized list of breeders. Just click on breeder's diredtory and then click USA and make your way through the list. Some birds you may want are very expensive. Hooded mergansers are over $100 a pair, but you get what you pay for. Most breeders will sell you just a drake or just a hen if you will ask them. Can't get them shipped (in most places) right now because of the heat, you will have to wait untill winter (unless it gets too cold to ship) or spring to get one in full breeding plumage because they are now in their eclipse (non-breeding) plumage. The only problems you will have with this is the high price of shipping and you will have to dispatch it yourself unless something goes wrong. You should get your money back and save yourself from having to kill the bird yourself. Sort of killing two birds with one stone. But it is still unpleasant to recieve a dead bird when you expected a live one, it's worse on the bird though.
I'm just a beginner myself, but I've done enough to tell you that you'll really enjoy bird taxidermy. Good luck and have fun.
Russell
Are practically unavailable unless you shoot them yourself. The only hunters who habitually go after them do so with the intention of having them mounted, so spares are not common. A captive-bred eider, IF you could find one, would be several hundred dollars AT LEAST.
You should be able to get a nice Mandarin for about $50.00 (+ or -), + shipping if you can wait until they are feathered out. Say ... late Nov.