just mounted a male pheasant today and turned out great except for the pocket feathers. they wanna keep falling down by the knee's, is that normal or how do you keep them to stay up. i used painters tape, but i can't see if the feathers are layed right and pinning them just doesn't do it because the feathers are so long. help please
thanks
Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu
Side pockets are sometimes stubborn if the skin is freezer burned. Sea ducks are notorius for this. You can try a remedy I sometimes use. If the bird is still fresh lift the wing and make a small cut in the bare skin of the arm pit. put a tube in and inject some caulk into the side pocket area. this will help the feathers stay where you put them. Your wings may be set too low also. That could cause your problem. The other possibility is, you didn't clean the feather track well enough.
Good luck
Tony
wrap them loosely in cotton or cheesecloth until the skin dries. Sometimes i get one the just fleshed really well and those side feathers really want to just hang loose....
Jon
Here's another idea...Let gravity be your friend...Put him on a wood base and hang him on the wall(Tail to the south)...The feathers will fall into place nicely, especially the side pockets...I do this all the time when this happens...it works great on Pheasants!
I'm pretty sure i cleaned the feather track to good I can almost see through it. I also did what Rick said to do let gravity play the part. thanks for everyones input