Question: I have been mounting birds for a while but I have noticed that the roots of the tail feathers are always in-beded in the meat as you sever them from the tail. Is it necessary to have a small slit in the back of your bird body to insert the tail roots prior to wiring them in place?. Some of my birds have long tail roots. And seam to give more length to the tail section. What am I doing wrong in this area.
any help in this area is greatly appreciated.
Mike Z.
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Always compare the foam body to a skinned (plucked) body. In waterfowl and some other spieces the tail root is located "deep" in the flesh, you are absolutely right, this must be compensated for. Cut a slit in the foam, wide enough to easily let the cleaned tail root slide in place. I myself fill the slot with caulk and then position the tail feathers softly and naturally. The caulk even things out and acts as glue. Support tail with a horseshoe shaped wire as usual. Not only will the tail itself be anatomically correct but te feather tracts along the sides will adjust more easily. And finally, the tail in the dried finished mount will not be a "weak point", it will be sturdy and solid. Good luck / B S