I have a hooded merganser hen but cannot for the life of me find a form that even comes close to fitting it! If I measured the carcass properly it's about 6x7 but all the forms out there seems to be they have one measurment right but not the other. I am having the same problem with my pheasants. Either I'm measuring them wrong or I have weird birds. Any help is greatly appreciated!
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alter like you would any other form. or wrap a body.
this is common, get a form that is close and cut it to fit. It is easier to make them smaller than bigger. If the circumfrance is wrong, cut the form in 4(four) peices. Example,
If the form is 1 inch in diameter bigger than the body,cut the form in half lengthwise, 1/4" to the side of the centerline, take the thicker half and cut 1/4" to the other side of the centerline. this will take 1/2" out of the middle. take the two halfs and take a half inch out of them length wise. you will now have 4 peices. put them back together and measure, if it's good, hot glue it back together,you are good to go. shape it all smooth and mount.
I really like the square foam blocks that you can carve down to whatever size and shape you want. They are available from several suppliers, usually in sheet form or local craft stores may have it. I prefer the blue color which tends to be denser.
Jessica, WASCO has a chart that will show you which manikin to get. I think it was a shovler. I did two Merganzers with them and had no problems.
Pat