‘Tis the Season for Trophy Birds

[Meelosh]

Picked up this gorgeous bufflehead this morning after putting in some work. Anyone else having some luck?

 

[Wags2.0]

That’s mount worthy

 

[Mgx2400]

 

[Meelosh]

That’s mount worthy

Thats the plan right now. Looking into a taxidermist that can do the bird justice. I don’t run into these every day.

 

[Traxion]

Interesting you don't see them much. Late late in the year on any open water you can find there are usually a handful with the mallards. They only get prettier by the time January comes around! Nice bird, hope the taxidermist does it justice!

 

[eyexer]

Thats the plan right now. Looking into a taxidermist that can do the bird justice. I don’t run into these every day.

There is only one guy I would send it to. He was the world champion waterfowl taxidermist back in the 80's. He did a wood duck for me about 28 years ago and the thing still looks as good today as it did when he did it. He was very inexpensive then and I would guess still is compared to anybody else. He is in southern MN and you can box it up and ship it.
http://www.northstartaxidermy.com/

 

[Meelosh]

There is only one guy I would send it to. He was the world champion waterfowl taxidermist back in the 80's. He did a wood duck for me about 28 years ago and the thing still looks as good today as it did when he did it. He was very inexpensive then and I would guess still is compared to anybody else. He is in southern MN and you can box it up and ship it.
http://www.northstartaxidermy.com/

Shipping makes me nervous but his gallery does have nice work in it. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Tymurrey]

Birmanstudios.com has always treated me well. He might be backed up by now though. Worth a check and definitely does good work. We ended up shooting some good looking scaup, redhead, ringneck, and bufflehead. Could have shot a lot more scaup but don’t need another for the wall. We missed a couple goldeneye as well

 

[Meelosh]

We mostly shot scaup/bluebills today too but I treat them as meat birds.

 

[Kurtr]

One of the most underrated and beautiful ducks

 

[Maddog]

Divers!! Yes!

My favorite duckies.

 

[riverview]

you guys eat divers?

 

[Captain Ahab]

That’s a really nice one!

Sportsman’s Taxidermy in EGF is where I would go. His birds are very good.

 

[Meelosh]

you guys eat divers?

They require different preparations but yes, of course. And not just with a can of cream of “gray slop”.

 

[dgully]

They make a gorgeous mount.. shot one when I was younger, dad had it mounted for me.. and my sisters cat shredded the mount. I hate cats still to this day

 

[Black Cloud]

Check out Frenchy in Minot. I've never had a bad bird from him and he did 3 buffleheads together for me and they're beautiful.

 

[Dew1970]

Haultberg in coleharbor did a speckelebelly for me last year did great job reasonably priced and fast turn around

 

[Meelosh]

You guys are killing me. 6 suggestions given without a single double. How’s a guy to pick?

 

[Maddog]

Here's one of mine.
Thinking the golden BB got him.

 

[Migrator Man]

I’d say rough rider game birds but prob 2 to infinity year turnaround. He did an amazing job on my bufflehead. I would look at these guys past bird work to make sure the poses look natural. I have seen a lot of messed up mounts by recommended taxidermists