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After Skinning A Bird

Discussion in 'Beginners' started by Ryan Pasterfield, Nov 8, 2019.

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  1. Nov 8, 2019 #1
    Ryan Pasterfield

    Ryan Pasterfield New Member

    4
    4
    Baltimore MD
    After I skin and treat a bird with borax and wash and dry it how long can it stay like that before I try to mount it? Days, weeks or alot longer?
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  3. Nov 8, 2019 #2
    Tanglewood Taxidermy

    Tanglewood Taxidermy Well-Known Member

    10,826
    11,890
    dallas oregon
    I would not let it go more than a day after using borax. If you want to wait to mount it, I would wash the borax off and keep it moist and freeze it.
     
    Micah Howards likes this.

  5. Nov 9, 2019 #3
    Ryan Pasterfield

    Ryan Pasterfield New Member

    4
    4
    Baltimore MD
    Thank you. I am very new to this. This will be my first attempt. we got a few doves this year and thought I would give it a try. Just working on a supply list now.
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  6. Nov 9, 2019 #4
    joeym

    joeym Old Murphey

    14,559
    10,590
    Chunky, Mississippi
    A dove is the worst selection for a first bird. They are extremely difficult to mount. Freeze them, and get a tough ol’ green head or a pheasant. Don’t won’t you to get discouraged and give up. After mounting several birds, try a dove.
     
    Micah Howards, swampfox2 and Frank E. Kotula like this.
  7. Nov 9, 2019 #5
    Ryan Pasterfield

    Ryan Pasterfield New Member

    4
    4
    Baltimore MD
    We do have a pheasant hunt coming up so we will see. What makes a dove so hard? Just thin skin? If I know it's hard going in I dont typical give up.

     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  8. Nov 9, 2019 #6
    socalmountainman

    socalmountainman Northwestern School of Taxidermy - Class of '73

    1,629
    1,409
    Lompoc, CA
    Ryan, doves lose a lot, and I mean A LOT, of feathers. They are also thin skinned so you have to be gentle. Knowing this going in, if you have plenty of practice birds, I say go for it!
    You may become the "dove expert" from all the practice! But, for Pete's sake, make sure you breast them out for supper first!!!
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  9. Nov 9, 2019 #7
    whitetails and fish only

    whitetails and fish only Well-Known Member

    708
    563
    Minnesota
    The last thing I do with a bird skin, after all fleshing and de-fatting is done, is soak it over night in a borax-alum solution, then wrap in a towel until some what dry and if not ready to mount I put it in a plastic bag and freeze. When ready to mount it will thaw very fast and then proceed with drying and mounting. I have kept frozen skins for months using this method.