How long does a duck last in a freazer? (Taxidermist has them)

[bear hunter]

I have several ducks at a taxidermist shop for the last 2 to 5 years. He is a friend and he says I have no room for them but I am a customer to. I was just asking because I think it is to late to save them. I have a Buffy drake,Borrow golden eye,comm. golden eye,Longtail,whitewing scoter, and a surf scoter. I think that's it. I need to know if I should ask for them back or just give up on them and toss in trash. I cared more about the sea ducks because one has a band and the longtail took me years to even bag one. Whats your thoughts about it. He also has 2 bears and my Big buck I bagged this year. The one bear he has had since fall 09 and spring 13 and are tanned already hanging in his shop. Should I find some other Taxidermist to mount them?

[NW-GSP]

At this point I would have someone else do them, I do not think the length of time will matter.

[Natures Way]

Go talk to him.

[3dvapor]

Birds are tough to taxidermy as it is especially when they arre freezer burnt.  Id take the ducks to a bird taxidermist like northwest wings.  I've found that taxidermist that are bird fanatics are also really great at birds while the other guys avoid them or take them with good intentions and then stall until they finally try and whip them out doing a teerrible job.  Get them done by a fanatic if there important to u.  I've learned the hard way wasting a lot of money on terrible bird mounts

[WCTaxidermy]

bear hunter, it all depends on how your birds were wrapped when put in the freezer, and that the freezer is not a frost free freezer.  Frost free freezer equals freezer burn immediately!  If they were wrapped tightly in a good plastic bag, (not a wal-mart bag) and then double wrapped, you should be ok.

Freezer burn is very hard to combat in birds!  The biggest problem you have is the head.  If the head is badly freezer burned and not handled correctly, your mount will not turn out very good at all.  The other problem area is the feet.  The feet are easier to deal with if caught in time.

Given the species of birds you listed, I would not give up on them.  Some of them are very hard to come by.  Hope that helps.  John 



 

 

[bear hunter]

Thanks for the info. I talked to him many times and he told me that I have no room left. I said doe's it matter just won't them finished. But nothing else said. I might ask for them back and have some one else mount them.  Again Thanks for the info.

[Hawgdawg]

I have several ducks at a taxidermist shop for the last 2 to 5 years. He is a friend and he says I have no room for them but I am a customer to. I was just asking because I think it is to late to save them. I have a Buffy drake,Borrow golden eye,comm. golden eye,Longtail,whitewing scoter, and a surf scoter. I think that's it. I need to know if I should ask for them back or just give up on them and toss in trash. I cared more about the sea ducks because one has a band and the longtail took me years to even bag one. Whats your thoughts about it. He also has 2 bears and my Big buck I bagged this year. The one bear he has had since fall 09 and spring 13 and are tanned already hanging in his shop. Should I find some other Taxidermist to mount them?

  :yike:Sounds like your getting the good ole Buddy deal.....................