I woke up and i found this woodpecker out in the yard this morning the temps here are in the 10s so i just left it out there but i was wondering if it is legal for me to mount this bird he is really neat looking. Or if i will unfortunantly leave him there for the hawks to eat up.
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Sorry but it's the law.
They're not noted for carrion eating. Better chance the bugs will dine on him. Just nature doing what it does best.
Many times I would get a call about different birds someone wanted me to mount.
Many times they were raptors or songbirds and I quickly told them to "let them be"
Here is what happened when I got ANOTHER call about 2 days after someone found a roadkill owl
and called me. The phone rings and its a woman. Her husband shot a hawk intheir chicken coop and she
wanted to know if I would mount it for them.
I said yes (don't have a heart attack yet) I heard her say to her husband (I guess) "Oh Honey
I found one that will mount it. How much would it cost"
I siad "Around $20,000 give or take a few hundred" "WHAT?" Then I explained the fact that I would be
jeopardizing my license, my shop, all my equipment not to mention my pride. Funny, I don't think I have
ever gotten a call like that since and that's been YEARS ago. Forrestzoo
I think he can prepare the skin as long as he donates it to a school for science.{study skin} This same question was in a taxidermy magazine some time back.
... the local Game Department! They will work with you and it may be possible to mount the bird. NEVER be afraid to ask! Haven't you ever seen the mounted owls in the game dept.s' offices - and NO, they are not all confiscations? Communicate with your local wardens and you will avoid many problems in the future.
Check with your local wildlife authorities . Here in Indiana such species can be done for schools, libraries,or other educational purposes with proper permits . Whats in it for you ? Well, one handsome little nameplate of who mounted it in a public place may more than compensate for your efforts and sometimes it just feels right to share this beautiful art which some have been fortunate to attain. Good luck- Jeff