SKINNING, FLESHING & MOUNTING A WOOD DUCK PREENING (Wrap Body)
by Second 2 Nature Taxidermy Supply with Terry Heuring 1 ½ Hrs
Terry starts with a duck that has been thawed in water and makes a breast incision and skins the duck. The duck has a broken wing and a bare spot on the neck. This problem area on the neck is why the position of preening was picked. A throat incision is made to skin out and clean the skull. The wire wheel is used to flesh and degrease the duck. He then cleans the duck by soaking it in soapy water and explains about soaking it in white gas. While the duck is soaking, he makes a wrap body from excelsior and twine. After the duck is washed, he places it in the tumbler. Terry then mounts the duck on the wrap body and sews up the incisions. The duck is attached to a piece of driftwood and he works on positioning the duck. Once everything is in place he cards, tapes and pins it temporarily and sets the eyes. Off camera, the driftwood has been placed in a octogen wood base. The base work is done by pouring Scenery Resin in the bottom and placing leaves and acorns in the resin. He rebuilds the eye lids with white glue. Painting of the bill, feet and eye rings finishes this beautiful mount. The last step to finish the base work, Terry mixes up some Envirotex Lite and pours over the Scenery Resin to seal everything.
