Need some opinions...What is the best way to go regarding real heads vs precast heads on waterfowl. And if I precast heads are used is it more hastle to paint them or should I just get the pre-painted heads...Thanks
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If you are really good with paint then there Is little doubt that you'll be painting your own cause you'll think you can do a better job
but If your lacking experience and/or can afford a already painted turkey head go for It which one Is going to help you the most?
Haha, remember that show when they said that? Anyway, Im pretty sure turkeys arent the kind of "waterfowl" that Nate is referring to. Nate, replicated heads offer you a clean head to start with, and prepainted heads may or may not look accurate, depending on who painted them, and whether you scoff or scratch them while mounting. Real heads need work, and paint, and artificial unpainted heads still need paint. How good to YOU wanna be, thats the question. Painting them yourself isnt that difficult, once you learn the colors and patterns for the species. Good luck.
Try one of each. I'm sure you will only use art. heads from then on. Advantages to artificial heads are: no cleaning, no rebuilding, no chance of bugs, no shrinkage, no paint on feathers....the list goes on.
and paint them yourself. If you mess up, just strip and repaint. Do it before you mount the bird, that way you don't have to worry about getting paint on the feathers. BP
Each part of the taxidermy world has its advocates. Many prefer using the real head, others cut the skull from the bill and use only the bill, others cast their own heads, others buy pre-made heads. Flexibility is the key. Artificial heads sometimes are one size only and thus do not fit well, requiring time to modify. Sometimes a head is not available for the particular bird you are seeking. There are many varibles in the different producers of artificial heads. Size, color, durability and so forth. Each bird is unique in every aspect, from carcus size to bill length and bill color. It would be unusual if a particular commercial cast bill fits precisely, and no painted bill will match the original color of the bird you are mounting. Striving for a realistic mount while at the same time keeping your costs undercontrol is a reasonable goal. I use artifical heads, I also use the real bill when needed, and I cast my own when I have the time. All will work. It is an advantage to be able to paint the bills in advance. I also find that the head neck connection can be made stronger than when using the real skull. Other advantages are as noted above. I would definitely encourage you to learn to paint your own - each step is part of the profession. Using an air brush and paint brush are basic requisite skills, just like skining, degreasing, sewing and so forth. Good Luck.
on waterfowl, I do prefer the real thing on game birds though..
Try both and see which you prefer..
TJ