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February 14, 2015
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Going to put my first bird together Friday or Saturday since 1982. A lot has changed in the taxidermy world since 1982. I have done a lot of reading, and purchased several videos in the last several months. I have a mallard drake skinned out, fleshed, washed, degreased, gassed, 3/4 dried and waiting in the freezer to actually mount. I have taken my time to make sure the skin is properly prepared. Now, to see when I put it together if it will resemble a mallard.
I have taken several breaks from taxidermy sometimes lasting for years. Usually the first mount or two after these breaks are ok but not so great. Thereafter they improve exponentially in quality. It will most likely turn out pretty good. Good luck and enjoy!
Vic
September 26, 2011
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Good luck Gary !
Keep us posted as you work on it.
Taxidermy Talk Administrator
Stehling’s Taxidermy LLC http://www.stehlingstaxidermy.com
Taxidermy Insider / Learn Taxidermy Online http://www.taxidermyinsider.com
920.650.5457 a.n.stehling@gmail.com
February 5, 2014
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Hope it turns out well for you.
Ronnie
February 14, 2015
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Well, I got it mounted last Friday. Overall I am pleased with it but I learned quite a bit on this one. There are a couple things I wasn’t sure about during the process. A few things that I would have done differently during the process. Can’t wait to move on to my second one and make some changes and corrections. When this one is dried and on the display I will post a picture to see what you experts think. It will be dry way before I start on my second one due to my work schedule. Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions along the way.
September 26, 2011
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Glad to hear you got it put together and it went well. Look forward to seeing pics !
Taxidermy Talk Administrator
Stehling’s Taxidermy LLC http://www.stehlingstaxidermy.com
Taxidermy Insider / Learn Taxidermy Online http://www.taxidermyinsider.com
920.650.5457 a.n.stehling@gmail.com
February 14, 2015
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Here it is. Hopefully I have learned some things along the way to be able to correct in the future.
October 23, 2014
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Considering you haven’t mounted a bird since 1982 , I think it looks great ! Its a nice clean mount .
A.J. Stehling Co LLC / Taxidermy Websites
~Working to advance the taxidermy industry one line of code at a time.~
December 24, 2014
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Looks good
February 14, 2015
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I am not expecting a call from McKinzie or Cabelas offering me a taxidermy position in the near future. 
On to the only other practice bird I have in the freezer which is a hooded merganser. I need to look up some duck hunting buddies to see if they have any in their freezer. Any ideas on how to get all the feathers on the top of the head to stand up like they should be? Is caulk what is needed to get that accomplished?
