hi guys! i am new to taxidermy... in fact brand spanking new... this will be my first time trying it out. i was wanting to taxiderm a mallard duck. i have no clue what to do.. can anyone give me instructions what to do from start to end? i know this is a lot to ask for but i dont know what to do and it looks like so much fun! also what will i need to complete it? thanks a lot guys!
-Justin
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Go to www.Van Dykestaxidermy.com and look under "Kits". They have a small duck kit, if it does not have a video I would reccomend getting one. You could also look at www.McKenziesp.com
Good luck, I am a beginner also but I have not yet tried birds.
but I dont like Van Dykes. Definatly get a video they are pricless. do your reserch
Justin , if your just starting out you should start with a bird thats not full of fat like a pheasant or pigeon or crow . Ducks are very fatty and after you try this you may want to gve up on taxidermy . Stick with an easy bird first until you know what your doing . Rick
get yourself a pheasant and start with that. They are actually pretty hard to mess up. Tough skin and very little fat. You can get the materials for about $20. Good luck Mark Natures-Reflection.com
Start with a less fatty, tougher skinned bird. The first bird I attempted when I was a teen was a mallard and it never did get completed and turned me off of birds for years. When I got reinterested in it again I started with grouse, crows, pigeons etc so that I could get the handle on the mechanics of things without having to worry about the extensive degreasing required with waterfowl. I didn't do another duck until I got the equipment that helps me do the job right (wire wheel, tumbler, good blower etc.). There are so many other aspects of bird mounting that need to be mastered. Having to struggle with a thin skinned fatty bird before you can get to them can be quite discouraging if you are not possessed of great levels of patience.
You will find more information than you know what to do with by reading through the archives. You will find plenty of instructions there.
i also agree with newbirdman,get a crow or something easier at fist,so you wont be disappointed about result and quit a great hobby in the first place! And if you are iterested about taxidermy, i suggest you make a subscription of Breakthrough Magazine! That gives you a lot of information about taxidermy and technicues and supplies! RECOMMEND TRULY!