I did up a wood duck the other day and it has a bit of a smell to it. I don't know how to describe it but I have never had a bird mount smell like that yet. I have only done around a dozen birds but this is the only one that has had a smell to it. I fleshed on the wheel and washed with dawn several times and this time I skipped the white gas step. I tumbled in oak wood chips and mounted it up. I had all the fat and meat off the skin when I fleshed it. Anyone have any suggestions as to why it smells and do you think the smell will go away?
Thanks
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used a good degreaser. Thats what the white gas was doing.
I dont use gas, mineral spirits. No solvents. My birds smell fine. George showed me the way.
Did you forget to clean leg marrow? The skull might have some funk in it? Did you forget to use preservative. Dont laugh, I had one almost sewed up when I realized that little step was missing.
Give it a day or two, it may smell better as it dries.
Try smelling the area that the primaries are connected to. I would assume that you left a tiny bit of flesh in the "wrist" of the bird. I will get a funky smell in a turkey in this spot, and I would guess, that is where your bird is emitting the odor from. Although the white gas wasn't actually degreasing the bird, it was indeed leaving a residual odor that may have masked the odor you are smelling now, that you weren't smelling in the past. The white gas was evacuating the water in the past, and the bird was probably a bit moist in this area. (Enough to aid in the decaying process.) Over time, this smell will go away. The scientific term for the odor you smell is Putrimine. This sweet rotting sort of smell is exactly what flies are attracted to, so keep the Woodie in a dry cool place to avoid the bugs.
As full of sh1t as you are, they should be if they aren't. It's plain dumbass ignorance just like that that jeopardizes the health and safety of taxidermists and the exact reason we have so much trouble getting insurance. JUST DUMB DAMNED IGNORANCE.
I recently had a duck that was rank. I thought maybe it was caused by the damp cool conditions of winter. I remembered that my critter clay had some yellow type of mold or mildew on it. I thought it was ok because I had removed it and rubbed it with some NB/KU all over it. The odor became unbearable. I opened the container that had the clay in it and the clay definately was the culpret.
The mold grew on clay that had never been opened. Has anyone else had this problem with critter clay growing?.....Dave
Come on George tell us what you REALLY think George got me to stop using gas. Still get good results. Never blew up the house, but did blow up a Wood Duck once. Wasn't a pretty site.
Just because your mind has gone, does'nt mean everyones is. I bet you make your wife pump the gas in your car, cause you SCARED!
I think I got all the meat off as I usually take a long time to flesh just to make sure I get it all. I am still a newbie so it takes me longer anyways but let me ask you this, I was taught to add some borax before you sew it up. I actually didn't add much on this duck before I sewed it up. I forgot it. Could this be causing the smell?
I have been a mechanic for 35 years and dealt with gasoline, propane, acetone, laquer thinner, enamel reducer, and other solvents. The best advice is if you use them do it outdoors or a WELL ventilated area. Use protective gloves also. I have been up to my armpits in gas while trying to pull fuel tanks. The shop I have worked in is well ventilated and there are no electrical appliances of any sort there. I have been around welding equipment since 1964 and oxy/acet and propane scares me worse than any other flammables.
Ventilation is the important thing and never use it inside.
Ryan, I have mounted birds without borax [forgot] and never had an odor. They were very clean and the wing and leg bones were drilled and cleand out with pipe cleaners. This one I mentioned above was a first it was unbelievable. It would stink up a 600 sq. foot shop. I brought it into a warm dry area and the smell finally went away. Did you locate where the smell was coming from on the bird?....Dave
I think OJ may have hit the nail on the head. I put my DP on the bird skin completely inverted. I will actually work it in the skin, especially the wing area. I am a bit liberal when applying the DP on the skin, but before I run wires, I shake off all the extra that wants to fall away from the skin. If I find a spot that looks as if it isn't "powdered". I'll re-hit it with some more DP. This is what I do before I ever run a single wire.
Oh by the way, I did exactly what OJ was referring to when not applying DP. The only difference, was I didn't think about it until it was nearly dried. I sat there admiring my first Grouse, and began thinking; "Did I put Borax on that skin? Nope!" Well it was about two days later when I had realized it, and to make a long story short, it is still on the wall. Never had a bug attack it, but I'd bet it would be the first mount they'd go for. In my defense, Their skin, (and most upland birds for that matter) are a bit different than a duck, but that doesn't mean I've ever slipped on that one since.
Did you give it the smell test for which perticular area on your bird was emitting the odor?
Well the smell has gone away so I guess it should be ok. Thanks for all the input!