Need some help...

[hogsniper]

I killed some very cool shovelers today and want to get one mounted...does anybody know how i should store it until i take it to the taxi?  Do i put it in a plastic bag...paper bag or what before putting it in the freezer...I am lost here...thanks for the help....And also does anybody know a good waterfowl taxi around western Wa....thanks for your help..Justin

[LongTatLaw]

Take the head and kinda tuck it under a wing. I then place in a freezer bag and freeze. Do ur best to place in bag and in freezer so that NONE of the feathers get crumbled or ruffled. Not too tricky but the less feather damage before he gets it the better he or she will do!

[hogsniper]

It has a little big of blood on the wing..should i try to wash some off first or just leave it?

[LongTatLaw]

blood isnt a huge deal but you can wash it if ya want. ur call

[Shannon]

Like he said "Head under the wing in a freezer bag" is what several taxidermist have told me. Over the Hill Taxidermy in Clear Lake does a good job on birds. I would take my big game somewhere else (he is getting better though but not as good as Garth on big game) but his birds are pretty good. He has a pintail of mine. The draw back is he is a one man show and he has 90+ deer in that he is working on. He said my pintail would be done in April. Stop by and see what you think. You will need to pick it up quick before the smoke gets to it though. He charges $180 per bird whether it is on a wood plaque or not.
Shannon

[Bearhunter]

Another trick, I told justin about already but just to help you guys out is, to use a nylon stocking put bird in head first, this keeps all the feather layed down in the right direction and keeps Quills from breaking, then bag it.  lets see some pictures justin!

[hogsniper]

Gosh, dont start with the pics...I didnt even take any before i dropped it off at the taxi....Damnnnnn i am goin out tomorrow to look at different poses so i will try and take some then...Justin

[Michelle_Nelson]

Put the birds head under a wing.  Make sure all the feathers are laying correctly up against the body so they don't get bent or damaged.  Now slide the bird, head first inside one of the legs of a set of ladies panty hose.    DO NOT USE THE PAIR YOUR WIFE OR GIRLFREID IS GOING TO WEAR TO WORK!  than put it in a plastic bag and put it into the freezer.  Leave the bag open for atleast 2 days until the bird freezes.  This is so body heat can escape!

The panty hose will keep the feathers against the body so they won't get damaged!  If the bird doesn't go all the way in the leg tie it off so the head doesn't come out from under the wing.

[Michelle_Nelson]

blood isnt a huge deal but you can wash it if ya want. ur call

Blood can be a big deal on white feathers.  It can stain white feathers.  Just wash that area and get as much water off the bird befor you freeze witout damaging feathers.