I have mounted several birds and one Duck. I was taught to use the original head. I received a video "Mounting a Wood Duck" in which an artificial head was being used. My question: Unless the head is badly damaged, why would anyone use an artificial head on a bird?
Thanks
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I dont see what the point of useing a artifical beak/skull. The beak of a duck to me is half the point of why I am getting it mounted. The color and all. I dont understand it. Just stick to useing the regular skull. Everyone is going to say it is easier, and more time effective. But you are taking away a good aspect of the mount. I feel the same about artifical feet.
Curt
How about not having to deal with masking off the head so you can paint the original or cleaning overspray off the head after you paint? How about not having any shrinkage in the artificial as opposed to tons of it in the real ones (especially wood ducks)?
I could go on and on but it comes down to personal preference. If you don't mind digging out eye balls and brains or cleaning overspray off delicate head feathers then, by all means, use the real head. Like I said, personal preference.
Let me start off by saying I have only done 10 ducks The first 7 were with the real head the last 3 artificial. They have made my mounts 100% better looking.It sure was nice to have them painted before hand,and not having to sew that neck ,man i like that.
You have the shrinkage and color loss on the real ones, and also, you need to make a cut one the side, top, or bottom of the head to get the real one out to flesh as well. The fake ones all you need to do is cut around the bill, and skin back to the neck head union and cut it off. If you have never tried mounting with a artifical, try it out. Being able ot paint it first and mount the head and be completely done makes this a very cost efficiant way to mount. The quality is usually hands down too. Most of the replica heads are really good too, but one birds like a merganser, the little teeth do not come out in a mold unless it is really done right, so I use a combination of the real and the fake, Same with a shovler's head. I use the real filtering parts on the side and bottom of the upper bill. It makes the replica heads look very real. You just cannot get the same look with a fake one.
I was going to ask these two guys why anyone would ever think of using the real one. And Curt, you answer is a little scary. In all my years of mounting I've never had a real bill retain its color. What difference would it make if you painted a real one or an artificial one. THEY ALL HAVE TO BE PAINTED.
I use them ,I mold them,Saves time.
Rather than deal with cleaning,filling and painting after your done mounting,Once I finish preening the bird is done..As for detail you can get premium artificial or cast them your self..A little touch up and there done.look at it this way when ya do get a shot to hell head then what wish you knew how or had tried to use the replacement?.
If you mold them yourself they cast about .35 a pop for duck..I do 2 dozen of each when I mold and paint so I have a inventory of all ready to go..Theres pros and cons to both side's ..If you want to be done and not have the error factor still in play with a mount painting then learn to use them once ya do you will see there are enough plus's to them to continue useing them..If ya get into molding drop me a line Ill help ya get started..WAY EASY and then you have EXACT ...AND CHEAP Only my.02's worth