I am just getting started in taxidermy. I am wanting to start with a pheasant. What I am wondering is should I buy a pheasant mounting kit or should I buy individual items? If a kit, who should I buy the kit from and which kit?
If I buy individual items, any suggestions on which items to buy and from who?
Thanks to any replys.
Ralph
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I'm not a big fan on kits just for the reason some don't give you quality parts and then the beginners get disgusted and either give up or complain here. I for one couldn't say whose kit is the best for I like to buy the parts seperate and get the quality I want.
Since your kind of new to this and we really don't know your capabilities here so I would sugest you have on hand a book on how to do this and if you have a video watch it a few times. Now if you skined the bird measured the body size and get one to fit this size. Some companies carry different sizes. Now as for neck material I wrap my own for this using an old style and one of the makers of this is Stephan Sevadies (probally killed the spelling) using macroma`. But you can use foam with no problems. Use 3/4" foam for the neck. Also cut the sides down on an angle so that it takes the shape of the real neck. If you saved it you can see how it's shaped and the lenght of it. There are many heads on the market but for upland game I use the real one it's my choice and you can get or do what ever you would like here. As for eyes I always suggest on getting the best you can. It does make the mount look better.
Good luck and have fun.
As I stated befor I am just getting into taxidermy. This will be my first mount. I have read several books and I do have a video that I have watched a couple times.
I still am unsure if I should buy one of the kits or order individual parts. Since this is my first time I am really not 100% sure as to what individual parts to order, body, neck, clay, ect...
Again, thanks for the help Frank and if anyone else has some added insight to this question please feel free to post.
I did my first deer head mount using a kit from WASCO and it was great.
I did not have to buy more than I needed and it gave me an idea of the product used.
I saw a pheasant from Van Dyke catalog I believe and it look pretty good to me
Christian
I like to buy individual items. the neck material is called backer rod.Its avalable at the home depot. string and styrofoam bricks are available at fabric and craft shops. I carver a bird body out of a block of dense styrofoam and it turned out great. it sands good to.
bulk cotton is at the fabric store. I use dental floss for sutures.
basically, everything you need with the exception of eyes is available around town at hardware and craft stores.