FAQs
Do you turn away birds?
Yes, I do not take in geese or swans unless they are shot in Dec/Jan. due to large quantities of pin feathers.
I maintain the ability to refuse mounting any bird that is either too shot up, too poor quality, or too young to produce a respectable mount. I have a business image and standard to uphold that I will not risk due to low quality birds.
Can I change my mount style, pose, or habitat?
Yes, but please do it asap and do not make it a habit. Once I have ordered your materials you will be responsible for the cost of any new materials needed for the change. Once the bird is mounted, your product is final and cannot be changed.
What if I can’t afford a full habitat?
How do I get a great looking mount back?
Plain and simple, the only way to get a great mount is to bring in a great bird. As a taxidermist there are many magic tricks which I have learned but adding years of maturity to a birds plumage is not physically possible. I can fix damage, holes, broken bones, rips, and blood. I cannot fix feathers that are shot off, split in half, too young, or feathers that are not even there yet. Good birds make good mounts. Great birds make great mounts. I can make a bad bird look CORRECT but it does not guarantee that it will look good. There are poses that can hide damage or poor quality areas and I will always recommend poses that show off the best of a given bird. If I believe a bird to be too far gone or too low quality I maintain the right to refuse the work.
We can add simple foliage, cattails, moss, grasses, etc to your mount for as little as $20. Not everyone wants to double their cost for a full habitat and that is fine! Tell me what you would like to spend extra and I will give you plenty of options to help liven up your display!
What is your current turn around time for birds?
Turn around time is subject to the amount of birds in the freezer when yours is dropped off. Currently my turn around time is under 12 months.
Forms of payment I accept ?
I accept Cash, Check, Venmo, and Online Payment.
How to tell if your bird is good enough to mount?
Maturity differs visually between the different species, however there a common areas to look for to ensure your bird has reached mature plumage.
Looking at the feather bases against the skin for pin feathers in areas of the chest, scapular feathers, tail, side pockets where common pin feathers will be present can help you identify if your bird is suitable for a mount. Most geese and puddle ducks, especially wood ducks, teal and mallards, are likely to be lower quality if shot during early season.
If you are unsure of the birds quality, allow the bird to thaw in the fridge overnight prior to bringing to the shop. I will be happy to show you what to look for as well as determine if your bird is suitable.
What are pin feathers?
Pin feathers are feathers that have not finished fully growing. these feathers will look like they have a small section of plastic straw at the base of the feather. These feathers will not only fall out but will need to be removed in the mounting process potentially leaving large bald spots. Depending on the severity/number of pin feathers this can greatly impact the quality of your mount. It is my strong recommendation that birds with a high quantity of pin feathers be withheld and to wait for the harvest of a more mature bird.