Taxidermy Question

A few things that I would do.

1. Clean/wash any blood clots you might see on the bird.
2. Next take a papertowel sheet fold in thirds, wet it and wrap each foot with it's own papertowel.
3. Wet another papertowel and wrap the front half of the head area to cover the eye area and feather's that start at the bill. This will add moisture and insulate critical areas to the bird and not dry out while in the freezer.
4. Tuck the head under 1 wing, place in a med size garbage bag and wrap tight. Seal with masking tape. This should be good enough until you get it to a bird taxidermist.

I have only one suggestion for a bird taxidermist near your location...Darin Gardner
801-718-7353. He does a good bird for the price.

Next I'd say bring it to me. I do live in Payson though, not in your area and I'm at least 1 year or more out.

Good Luck.

If you have any questions...give me a call at 801-310-8042 and I can answer any questions you might have about storing bird in the freezer.

Later,

SD

One of the places I checked out wanted nearly double what Tex was asking and their work didn't look any better than my friend's bird, so don't assume higher prices will equal better quality.

Click to expand...

Hard to imagine someone charging $400 for a duck!? :shock: The national average cost for a duck is $250. Utah is a little behind the natoinal rate. :shock: Go figure.

I happens though. Here's why.

Most taxidermists do it all. Heads, rugs, fish, birds, etc, etc. They get all lathered up and think they need to take in a billion pieces so they won't go broke. Then, before you know it, they can't get the work done and they end up being 2-3 years out. This is really bad for birds and fish because they will freezer burn in 6 months if not wraped up correctly. (most are not) then when they finally get to it... it's south of jerkey and they end up pi$$ing the customer off. To solve this problem they think "hey, I'll charge a ridiculous price, and that way I won't take in as much work. And, if I DO take a bird in by someone who just doesn't know any better, I'll make a killing on it." But, the guys heart is not in his work because after-all, he didn't want to do any birds in the first place. So he mounts the bird up with a crappy, drugery attitude, and it turns out like A$$!

Most taxidermists that are smart, will choose thier battles and specialize in one area. I only do birds and a few fish. PERIOD! That's not to say I couldn't mount up a mean deer head, but if I chose to take in all that other work I'd need to practice sigle cell reproduction, screw myself, and divide into two Tex's so I could get it all done. No Gracias!

I am one of only TWO full time bird guys in this WHOLE STATE. And believe me, I'm full time. -)O(- :wink: