My friend brought me a GWT lastnight. I have never mounted a teal before. I seen a video before that was a teal mount and he made a relief cut for the head. Is this standard for teal or can you get the head out threw the bill opening?
Since we are on this subject is there a "general" list or can some one make a list of ducks that generaly need to have a relief cut made?
Thanx,
Tim
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I sometimes have to on Green Wing Teal, but if you keep the skin from drying out, you should be fine...Try sticking a damp cloth in the head during the mounting process, until its time to pull the skin over the head...This should help you from having to cut.
It depends on each individual bird. If you skin the head around the beak with no problem, you might find the need to make a relief cut when putting on the artificial head (or rebuilt skull, whatever method you use.) I have had to do this, usually when mounting the bird and trying to fit the head back into the skin. It's no big deal at all, you just super glue everything back into place! Easy and you don't pull out as many head feathers this way, lol!
You will not need to make as many relief cuts if you make sure the skin doesn't fold under on itself. the triangle on the throat latch is where it folds under most times.