Cleaning Waterfowl mounts

[John Akehurst]

Okay,

Let's here it guys.  How do you clean your waterfowl mounts?

Please list how and what you use.

[Waterk9]

OK someone has to help us out here. I have some big game mounts but no waterfowl, haven't shot anything worth keeping but would like to know how to clean and store.

[ducknwork]

My taxidermist told me to spray a little bit of windex on a paper towel and wipe the bird in the same direction as the feathers.

As far as storage, I think my mounts store nicely with a single nail in the wall.

[Waterk9]

My taxidermist told me to spray a little bit of windex on a paper towel and wipe the bird in the same direction as the feathers.

As far as storage, I think my mounts store nicely with a single nail in the wall.

Very funny! You lucky bird. I will try that once I shoot something I want to mount. Would love a woodduck. Need to come down to TN to probably do that though.

[ducknwork]

Come on over to NC. We'll get you a wood duck. I get bored with shooting them.

[Tim]

I have used a piece of bread by lightly moving it with the direction of the feathers to get the dust off.
We need to hear from Lance (takenflight) to see what input he has on the subject.

[John Akehurst]

My Taxi said the bread thing, but I fear the crumbs.  Been using a brush attachment on the vac and occasionally a tissue.

My taxi also said to use your finger and thumb and lightly pinch and gently pull the feather ends that are "Freyed" to get them back into shape.  Specifically the tail feathers.  He said the oil in your hands would be plenty and so far he has been correct on that.  He also said the oil in the bread would be good for the feathers.

Just been curious what the best method is tha you all do.

[Waterk9]

Come on over to NC. We'll get you a wood duck. I get bored with shooting them.

Watch out i may take you up on that. 

[Waterk9]

Ooopppps, forgot the ideas on cleaning are awesome.

[bhb]

I don't have too many waterfowl mounts but I just use a feather duster(no pun intended).  It works great if lightly stroked in the direction of the feathers(on the bird). 

BHB

[Cootshooter3]

It's hard to keep the dust off. I just hit the High Spots and go on.

[TN Hunter]

I have used a piece of bread by lightly moving it with the direction of the feathers to get the dust off.
We need to hear from Lance (takenflight) to see what input he has on the subject.

You trying to feed them again. 

I was told the Windex was bad on the coloring adn to just use a damp rag

[Taken Flight]

For the most part I use the feather duster also. Once there mounted and dried good there pretty durable just dont get crazy with it. Keep the feather duster going with the lay of the feathers and you"ll be fine. As far a color fading, Keep them any mount away from sun light and smoke. Fire place smoke or the other is terrible for the color change of any mount. Hope all is well and sorry I have been out of touch for a while.