I'd like to get into mounting birds for my own personal use. Could someone make a list of the things I'd need to get started? I have nothing. I'd like to start with some old ducks in the freezer or maybe pigeons...nothing I'd worry about hurting.
If making a list is too much trouble, could someone recommend a good video that deals specifically with birds?
Thanks,
Rob
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Wire wheel,
If you plan on large birds, a timber.
Scalpel
Depending on size of Bird a grinding wheel (need it to sharpen the wire for legs),
Hemostats (spelling)
Sharp knife
Channel locks (pliers)
Good pair of wire cutters
Syringe (18 ga to 20 gauge needles) injecting feet and legs
Good size (smooth top) table to work on
Air Brush (get a good one, it will save you time and money) and paint
Sewing needles and Nylon thread
Air compressor (small one is all you need)
Small paint brushes
Caulking gun
Dies for cutting threads on wires
Cordless Drill
Mounting stand (not a real need but is sure-re is nice)
Misc things -
TPins
Drywall screws
Dawn Dish washing detergent
At lease two large Hat Pings
Critter Clay
Masters Blend
Bondo
Liqua cure
20 Mule team Borax
Form or material for a wrapped body
Break through Bird Taxidermy Manual
Apoxie Sculpt (brown and normal color)
Wire for wings and feet
If you want to build your own bases, then a table saw and router table.
As far as videos, I would get on specifically for the type of bird you want to do. Also look at the production date. Some of these sold are 10-15 years old and do not have the newer methods/products available. Also I would recommend you get a book and video, and I would get it from at least two different sources. This way you can learn, and get two different perspectives. Also sometimes one person will forget to tell you something, and the other one will. It all depends on the assumptions the author makes on how much the reader/Viewer understands, or should already know.
Rob , if your just starting I wouldnt try the ducks until you have a little experience . Once you start removing the fat and end up tearing the skin to sheds , you might not want to do this any more , lol . Start with a pigeon or other non fatty bird . All you really need is a razor blade and some wire cuuting pliers to cut the bones and something to scape the fat and dont forget the borax to soak up the blood etc . Rick
There is a really good article in the last issue of Taxidermy Today that you may want to look at. Im sure you can get that back issue if you go one the web site.
You'll get more info out of Taxidermy Today and Breakthrough Magazines than $300 worth of how to manuals/videos. Over the course of several years you'll not only learn how to mount a duck, but how dozens of different taxidermists mount them. The how to videos/manuals are great, but don't offer as many different perspectives. If can, get them all - if not start ordering back issues of the magazines.