[The Waterfowler]

Frank Newmyer call me the other day. We go back all the way to 1981. Asked him what he soaked his birds in after wheeling. He said Dawn then Downy with a rinse. No gas he said. Sooo, everyone uses what works best for him but the "laugh in the face of danger", "walk on the wild side" guys aren't afraid to experiment. I've tried Downy and it seems to slow my drying process down. But. I'm a rogue taxidermist with methods derive from about a dozen taxidermy Gods that have felt sorry for me and showed me a few tricks under sworn secrecy. I use a warm water wash with Dawn after spraying off residual fat from wheeling, but WalMart's "Fake Dawn" is just as good and a lot cheaper BTW. Any potential areas subject to slipping is treated with de-natured alcohol before washing. Any blood clots is hit directly with Era that is the best clot buster and blood removal solution I've seen. Work it into the clot and soon your spray nozzle will make it go away. Any mineral stains are removed with Winks and then after blotting dry it goes into the gas. I gas outdoors of course in a well vented gazebo with a ceiling fan using nitrile gloves or something similar to handle the skin with. Blot with a towel after squeezing out as much gas as possible. I then place the skin over a floor fan for a few minutes then into the tumbler with a 50/50 mix of hardwood sawdust and corn cob grit. I use a dog groomer blower that takes care of any residual sawdust and dries the skin quickly without producing any harmful heat, again outside. Like I said, one man's passion is another man's poison. Most all of us that piddle with birds develop our own technique and it is derived from many trials and errors.

One thing about this site is that all the wise asses don't last and the comedians find another venue also. I appreciate the moderators keeping this clean and helpful. Lots of good information here, not necessarily mine but a lot of good tips, tricks and ideas.

 

[Pete-pec]

Pat, I know that after so much of the internet tough guys, you kind of sorta say enough is enough! Bruce is one of those guys like you and several others on here who appreciates putting all the BS behind, and talking civilly. I say talking, because every one of us knows that we all have learned bits and pieces through other people, and trial and error. I've made more mistakes than probably any other person...on many levels. The difference with me, is it's because I refuse to not try new stuff, and I'm stubborn. Most importantly, I have the capacity to learn from my failures, and I hope those that I try and surround myself with, have that same ability to try, learn, admit defeat, share, and be CIVIL! Otherwise, like you said, that schidt ain't welcome here. I am a comedian however, but I minimize my sarcasm to Facebook for the most part. LOL :beer:

By the way Bruce, that beer for Pat happens to be a Coors. That is where he retired from, and also knows about chemistry. The kind of chemistry I appreciate after mowing the lawn on a hot day! :thumbsup:

Bruce, I totally understand the drying process, and up until 20 birds ago, used odorless mineral spirits to gas. I am a hobby guy, I have a ton of time, I would change my process to get the green, and may change my process after training, because he happens to use gas, formalin, wrapped bodies and necks.......and on and on lol. I simply have seen a way different skin composition after going away from gas, and will never go back. Not because I think it's dangerous or bad for you. I know the bird dries quicker, I just prefer the skin and its limpness when not gassed.

1001 ways, and no one is wrong! Matter of fact, we are more right for giving the details, and letting others try something that might give them those same wonderful results. Or, they can do what most of us do, and grab this that and the other, and make their own recipe on whatever they are trying to accomplish!

 

[fowlweatherfowler]

Just tried no downey on a goldeneye. Seemed to rinse quicker but beyond that really didn't notice mich of a difference compared to using it.

 

[duxrus]

Just tried no downey on a goldeneye. Seemed to rinse quicker but beyond that really didn't notice mich of a difference compared to using it.

See I told ya :tongue:

 

[fowlweatherfowler]

Doesn't smell as good though. :smile:

Actually the goldeneye is one of yours Brian. Shot back in 2010 in WA. It was gifted to Jim Macnamara and he was going through his freezer before I went down there and asked if I wanted it.
You guys mus use some small shot, I'm guessing swat shot on cripples like we do 2 3/4" #7s.

 

[duxrus]

Doesn't smell as good though. :smile:

Actually the goldeneye is one of yours Brian. Shot back in 2010 in WA. It was gifted to Jim Macnamara and he was going through his freezer before I went down there and asked if I wanted it.
You guys mus use some small shot, I'm guessing swat shot on cripples like we do 2 3/4" #7s.

I use 3's and my buddies all swear by 4's. I know the friend I usually hunt with does pack 7's for chase birds. It should be a hoss since I pick the best of the trip to gift to folks.

 

[chesapeaketaxi]

I am with ya Brian! my truck has been plugged in for two days, and it's so cold here, my duel batteries need charging to get it to start. glad I am married to an Asian who driver a little rice burner, so I am not completely shop bound. Kent Narrows 1/4 mile from my house is so full of ducks, it is not funny. Cans, Red heads, G&L Scalp, Buffs, Old squaws and the Scoter trio. it is quite a site. stay warm

 

[mvernelson]

This is a great thread! I have yet to mount a swan that wasn't full of pin feathers and didn't have a thin neck. Since were on that subject, a little trick that i like to do on flying swans is foam in the crop area to strengthen that long neck and heavy head. Also foamed in the drumsticks.

 

[duxrus]

I would hate to deal with an early season swan. Luckily everyone I havè done came from NC. The necks are the size of your forearm when you fully fluff them. That must be one hell of a support wire on that thing :lol3: I twisted (3) 6 gauge wires together to hold the one I just did.

 

[beretta24]

That must be one hell of a support wire on that thing.

Photoshop is great

 

[mvernelson]

No Photoshopping, You can see the solid 1/2" piece of steel on the bare mannikin picture. The bird comes on and off via a nut that can be loosened.The mount was very solid on that support. The reeds are real and the water is a resin casting. The client had his own base made so this is how it went out the door. The background is just a paper backdrop. Nothing was digitally enhanced. That would be cheating, whats the point?? :huh: :smile: Duxrus, your swan turned out great, love the bull neck on that thing! Isn't it great how after a swan is wire wheeled it becomes the size of a king size blanket! :lol3:

 

[duxrus]

Yeah they are kinda like GIANT eiders after you skin them. I was wondering about if your bird detached or not and how in the heck you could move that thing. Swans take a dang U-Haul to begin with much less with a big base. Talk about eating up half of a room :lol3:

 

[chesapeaketaxi]

Mike. fantastic job! your photos clearly show how proper anatomy and pre positioning will make a bird work for you, rather than against you. your balance and flow of the mount and base is spot on. this mount is a perfect example of less is better when adding grass etc to a mount, and complimenting a mounted bird. very well done my friend!!! :beer:

 

[Pete-pec]

Beautiful swan Mike! I really dig the idea of foaming the breast/crop area. you are very talented.

 

[beretta24]

No Photoshopping, You can see the solid 1/2" piece of steel on the bare mannikin picture.

Ya, I hope you know I was just joking. Thanks for sharing the details though and nice work!

 

[mvernelson]

No Photoshopping, You can see the solid 1/2" piece of steel on the bare mannikin picture.

Ya, I hope you know I was just joking. Thanks for sharing the details though and nice work!

Darnit, that would have been a nice compliment lol :smile: Seriously, I wish I was computer savy enough to use photo shop. It would save a lot of work setting up backdrops on big pieces or erase the mess in my shop behind something I'm photographing. I think I tried it several years ago but quickly gave up.

Thank you Pete, there seems to be a nice group of talented people on here!

 

[The Waterfowler]

Swans were put on this earth to punish, annoy and frustrate taxidermist. The feather quills soak up water like a sponge especially around the head and neck which makes them problematic to dry in a lot of cases. So many are killed early in the year and I refuse to take one killed before Christmas. Every time I get one I swear it will be my last. My hats off to you guys that do them well and a helluva job on the reed mounts to BTW. I end up making minimum wage by the time I'm done with one. Brian, I think I'll send everyone to you that calls me!! :smile: Great idea on taping the primaries , Brian. An old dog can learn new tricks, thanks. Will be a good idea also on the big city park sky carp that everyone that kills one believes they weigh 20 pounds! The foam idea to keep the buggy whip syndrome is good also.

 

[duxrus]

Sending me your swans....don't know if that is a compliment or if I have pissed you off :lol3: :lol3: :lol3:

Sad part is after this one and really liking the pose I will probably mount another one for myself in the same fashion. Mine is just flying to the side but something about one coming in with those huge feet out and side profile of its neck just makes them look even bigger. Everyone needs two airplanes in their collection :grooving: Now I just have to get drawn for another NC tag next year :thumbsup:

 

[The Waterfowler]

Two airplanes!! I've got 6 Tundras. Now that I think about it, I am crazy!! That not counting other Swan species. I've sworn off of them now!! Maybe :wink:

 

[beretta24]

Two airplanes!! I've got 6 Tundras. Now that I think about it, I am crazy!! That not counting other Swan species. I've sworn off of them now!! Maybe :wink:

Don't have a trumpeter yet, do ya?