My son came home the other day carrying claws and tail feathers from a dead bird he found. I think it is from a Hawk?
Anyway, he didn't bring the complete bird, just the claws and tail... and he wants to preserve the parts and mount them...
My question is, what can we use and find in my house, shed or local hardware/department store to preserve it so the pieces so they won't rot? The wife wants them out of the fridge... I was thinking soking in automotive antifreeze (Ethelglycolalchohol)? Would that work? Would it tint the parts? How much of the little bits of flesh/meat needs to be scraped out? after or before soking?
Any suggestions on mount arrangement/display?
Only thing I've ever preserved was some snake skins using salt...
Thanks!
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You do realize, of course, that you are already in violation of a federal law and are subject to fines and jail if discovered with those items, don't you? It is illegal for a private citizen to obtain, barter, or won the feathers, talons or parts of any raptor. I'd suggest you lose them where they were found and enlighten your son that eagles, hawks, and owls are federally protected species, and though it makes little sense to any of us, it remains the law.
Ignoring that, however, stay away from the antifreeze. Borax is all that's needed on the feather bases while the feathers and talons themselves don't need any preservative.
You do realize, of course, that you are already in violation of a federal law and are subject to fines and jail if discovered with those items, don't you? It is illegal for a private citizen to obtain, barter, or won the feathers, talons or parts of any raptor. I'd suggest you lose them where they were found and enlighten your son that eagles, hawks, and owls are federally protected species, and though it makes little sense to any of us, it remains the law.
Ignoring that, however, stay away from the antifreeze. Borax is all that's needed on the feather bases while the feathers and talons themselves don't need any preservative.
Thanks though. First time here... Just started looking around and saw other posts in the "BIRDS" section where this post should have been posted...
I didn't think it would be that big of a deal since he found it.
Your thought patterns are dangerously flawed then and you obviously have no concept of the seriousness of the matter. The USFWS doesn't CARE if you just found it or you shot it. It's all the same to them. You won't find much help here then, but you've been warned. That's all I can do.
Wow how crazy can you get in the states. I'm from Canada and it's finders keepers up here guys. Mark I say you keep them. The way I look at it who the heck is going to find you, track you down and charge you? We don't know where you live and no one will fine a few feathers and a claw in your house. I hope your kid likes them!