I was wondering how many of you make a cut to skin the head of a Pheasant and how many don't.. I have a very hard time getting the skin over without a cut.. and for those that do is the cut on the underside of the neck or on top?
Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu
I dont make a cut. I just invert it.
no cut
Not all pheasant heads will invert.. and if they do.. they are T-Total B>>I>>T>>>?>>~~@es to pull back through.
If they will invert, you will know, as they will go with little or no effort. Otherwise, cut the neck off at the base of the skull and then a short incision on the underside of the neck will allow EASY access to the rest of the skull. It doesn't have to be a long incision.
Good Luck,
Jon
Show me someone who "always" inverts a pheasant head and I'll show you an upset taxidermist eventually. I usually cut the crown of my birds simply because I loop the neck wire back into the skull, but Jon is more of a bird man than I. Listen to him.
The only time I've ever seen is if the skin drys a tad..
You can flex the skul slightly and invert them. OR use a replacment head and never have the problem...
Flex a pheasant skull?
The only pheasants I have ever dealt with (which wouldn't invert) have a skull as thick as any teenage child... there simply wasn't any flexing to them... Generally if it isn't going to invert. it start getting REALLY tight about mid way down the neck. If you're not careful, the skin can rip. Go slow, and whatever you do, DO NOT trying using a firm hand in this instance.. you WILL end up with headless pelt.
Wally, I wouldn't normally disagree with you, but here is one time I will.. I ABSOLUTELY HATE artificial heads on upland game.. they are a total pain in the a$$ to skin and then glue back down. There isn't a definate feather line to cut around.. and there really is no reason.. the shrinkage we're talking about is so minimal, that you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that could point it out. This is one instance where IMO going with the real head is a better choice. I have used artificial at times on upland game.. and the benefits just arent there. It takes me twice as long to skin and glue than it does to clean the original skull.. It's all bone to begin with..
Anyhow.. I've said my piece and now I think I shall go to bed.. funny.. I'm working a pheasant tomorrow.
Jon~
Well it could be that your only working on texas birds ..
Maybe you should take the stetson off the bird before ya invert it?/
Hey aslong as it works...
I have never found a pheasant that will not turn; of course I've been doing this for more then a few years.
Jon when you need help next time, Wally or I will help you.
Jon once the head is turned slit everything [Separate the skin and clean well] the head skin does let out making pulling back through an eze..
Jon, Geo, a wet slick head tends to slid though a small hole; start by lubricating the head, I wash mine first before inverting, . Now if your not washing your birds ,,,,shame on you. heheheheeh
Everyone enjoy your new year, I'm going to try not being an ass next year but I still have 4 days.
Over the past 2 days I've had 9 pheasants dropped off. They all have been skinned.. Out of 9, only 4 inverted. the other 5 started to split so I stopped at that point and incised under the chin.. They started to split with the most gentle of pressure so I really have no clue as to how you guys are managing to invert ALL your pheasants.
I gave it a go.. I even wet the feathers first Wilson, and they still split..
I did notice that of the birds that inverted, they were all young birds probalby their first year, nothing momumental in the tail department, small.. not very impressive.
The birds who split, were the very large, very robust, colorful roosters with large square heads and spurs that would draw blood. I would guess they were the older birds, all had tails well over 19 inches, largest of which was 23".
So I still stand by my previous comment.. Not all pheasants will invert.
Happy Holidays,
Jon
As for size we have super long tails and huge horns... Yet I never have that happen to me..The only thing I see is that somehow they are bunching up on the invert.
I still say your not takeing the huge stetson off them roosters.