Had a fellow bring me 4 mallards this afternoon. He wants them hanging dead and for me to do it whichever way looks best. I don't know..I don't duck hunt! Any advice on whether hanging from neck or foot? Eyes open or closed? If eyes half open, do I use mallard eyes or just some black eyes? I know this is a alot of questions, but I plan to start fairly quick. Need some info. Baby needs some diapers.
Thanks - Bodine
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Maybe do a couple mounts with two ducks each. Look at how they hang. Maybe a leather strap.
I always mount the bottom bird first with the hanger attached to the wall. Lay the bird, wings semi-opened out flat. Then lengthen or shorten the next loop so the next bird has its neck atop the bottom ones wing. Alternate sides so all 4 can be seen separately but together on the same strap. Works great for mixed bag ducks and or geese.
most folks when they hunt hang em by the neck but for a mount the feet are the only way to go. looks a lot better. i had a fellow bring me a pair to do and insisted(customers always right)on having them hang by the neck. i did them and after much cussing i swore to myself to try and persuade towards the foot method much harder next time.if he does insist you need to get someone you know to get you some pictures of birds hanging by the neck in whatever type of strap it is that he wants them in because the wire type straps do some funny things to there necks where the leather straps do differently also. wire straps tend to make a birds mouth come open when wedged in there.if you need some pictures e-mail me and i can probably dig some up.as for the eyes half-closed with the white down showing.hope this helps
i misread your post i was thinking the customer wanted them by the neck. guess i need to read a little more carefully
Just think of it this way. You just walked in from the field, your kill for the day is hanging from lanyards on your belt. You reach up and hang them on the hook on the porch, and along with them you hang your calls. Make it simple, but realistic. Eyes can be open, closed, half way open. It really doesnt matter. Half open is the most popular. Mount them how they hang naturally. Hang them from the feet, it looks better, and doesnt harm the neck. After you thaw them just hold them by the feet and see hout they hang. That will give you a good idea of how they should look.
I've done many of the european duck mounts, (Hanging dead mounts) Hang them by the feet, and baseically mount them like any other duck. I useally dont wire the wings, you can just card them and let the dry. Leave the eyes open, and if you would like, open the mouth just a little.
USE LEATHER STRAPS! Otherwise it doesn't lok even right!
Paint up the eyes, and anything else that doesn't look good. Just make it look realistic. Picture you hanging them from a tree, or something.
Curtis