Rare Species?

[kodiak 907]

Nicely done sir! Remember to post pics of the finished product.

[Tom Reichner]

Unfortunately, I hammered him pretty good with a head shot and there is no way to really preserve him for a mount. 

Looks like a tufted to me. Awesome bird! Too bad you're not going to get him mounted.

  The biggest thing was one BB went through the top of his bill and out the lower and a few to the dome as well.

Ahhhhhh! I know! I might put him in the freezer and take it to my taxi just to see if he is too far gone.  I didn't take pics of the damage done but what do you guys think about the mount? 

I suggest that you take him to Stefan Savides in Klamath Falls:
http://www.ezpics.com/savides2/About/go

Stefan is generally recognized as the best bird taxidermist / avian artist in the world today.  He will not only give you a very realistic assessment of your bird's condition, but provide you with a true world-class mount, as well.  All at about the same price that any "regular" taxidermist would charge.
 

[OKHunter03]

Hey Tom- I tried about every link on that site for Savides and it was all bronze or sculptures. I'm sure being the personal taxi for Cabelas, he puts out nothing short of amazing work. I have a friend that I'm probably going to use, but I have looked in to others around with good reps as well. Because although any bird I have saved has been special to me, this is something I will never shoot again. Would hate to get back anything sub par with no chance for redemption. Thanks again for all the interest and info though dudes! The excitement has calmed down a little as of this morning. Back to work I guess.

[EWUeagles]

I have a friend that I'm probably going to use.

Man that line really scares me. I sure hope your friend is an amazing WATERFOWL taxidermist. I see a lot of people post pictures of birds done by very good taxidermist but they are good at big game. It takes special talent to capture waterfowl. Little rant over.

I want to say congrats and that is an amazing trophy. I didn't even realize we had them in the US! I can't wait to see the finished bird.

[OKHunter03]

I have a friend that I'm probably going to use.

Man that line really scares me. I sure hope your friend is an amazing WATERFOWL taxidermist. I see a lot of people post pictures of birds done by very good taxidermist but they are good at big game. It takes special talent to capture waterfowl. Little rant over.

I want to say congrats and that is an amazing trophy. I didn't even realize we had them in the US! I can't wait to see the finished bird.

Man, I know. I will give it some serious thought. He has done work for me, my brother, and multiple friends. He is a great dude and good to work with and I was pleased with everything I have seen so far. BUT..... I totally understand the rare chance to ever see let alone harvest another one of these deserves to be displayed in the best possible way.

[Tom Reichner]

I have a friend that I'm probably going to use.

Man that line really scares me. I sure hope your friend is an amazing WATERFOWL taxidermist. I see a lot of people post pictures of birds done by very good taxidermist but they are good at big game. It takes special talent to capture waterfowl. Little rant over.

EWUeagles raises a very valid concern.  I once had a beautiful, late season Wood Duck drake and a fully mature Bufflehead drake.  Both were in peak, late-winter plumage.  I went to a sportsman's show to pick a taxidermist.  There were over 100 full time taxidermists at the show.  One guy's work really stood out from the rest, so I chose him.   

Months later, when I went to pick up the birds, I was shocked!  The workmanship was very average.  The birds looked like.....well, they looked like mounted birds, not like live birds.  They looked like what you usually see hanging on the wall in a hunting lodge, not like the work of a world-class artisan.  I came to learn that this taxidermist did not even mount them himself, but rather "farmed them out".  Then I learned that many, if not most, taxidermists farm out their bird work, via the mail, to big production-line places that have "Joe taxidermists" cranking out bird mounts on a piece-work basis.  This is common practice.

You really not only need someone who does their own bird work, but you need a taxidermist who specializes in birds.  Let's face it; if someone spends 60, 70, or 80 percent of their time mounting big game heads, how can they possibly do truly world-class work on a duck?

[EWUeagles]

I think Leon Matthews at of Tri Cities does some really nice work. That being said I would seriously hit google and look at Birdman Studios or Shane Smith Taxidermy. I know it's going to cost a little extra but how often are you going to shoot a bird similar to that again? If I ever shot a once in a lifetime birds that's where I would ship it off to.

[Tealer]

Leon is more then capable of turning that bird into a trophy that's a joy to look at for years to come.


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[WCTaxidermy]

Ok hunter if that is truly a tufted duck what a trophy!!!!! Don't worry about cleaning him up, get that bird wrapped tightly in a plastic bag and then double wrap it again and get him in the freezer.  A good bird taxi will be able to clean him up nicely for you.  Congrats on harvesting a rare bird for this area, and most importantly, you shot him in the time of year that he is fully plumed out! Great job!