Unusaul Pheasant

The Big Fella

Well lads as the title suggests I shot as unusal looking bird today which Im going to get stuffed. My question is what should I do to the bird before putting him in the freezer? Do I take the tail feathers off so they dont get damaged in the frezzer or do i leave them alone?

kildare.17hmr

any pics lad??

steyrman2

hi shot a decent bird last year big tail on him i cut cardboard the full length of the tail cling film it around and freeze him asap cant get damaged then have you a pic of the bird

The Big Fella

Ori thanks for the tips picture comin soon

patdahat

get a pair of tights out of the ladys drawer, cut off the foot end and pull over the bird this will keep all the feathers in place. keep the tail straight if possable and dont take it off. then you can wrap the bird in newspaper, if you were to wrap the bird in newspaper the feathers could stick to the paper.

Professional Hunter

Seril re-reg.

Once again banned from shooting.

J.R.

patdahat wrote: »

get a pair of tights out of the ladys drawer, cut off the foot end and pull over the bird this will keep all the feathers in place. keep the tail straight if possable and dont take it off. then you can wrap the bird in newspaper, if you were to wrap the bird in newspaper the feathers could stick to the paper.

Protect the tail as suggested....don't remove it. Use the ladies stocking if you wish (if you have one)

Place some cotton wool in mouth and vent.....this stops blood, juices etc. dripping onto plumage when bird is thawing out.

I wouldn't wrap anything to be mounted in newspaper...newsprint ink can run when it gets damp (while freezing) and if it runs....destroys everything...impossible to remove....only spreads when you attempt to remove it....everything has a black inky stain.

When you have the tail protected place the bird in a black bin liner (when bird is cold) and roll up the bag sealing top ...getting out as much air as possible. Then place it in another bin liner and roll up again, sealing top...then straight into freezer.

This will avoid 'freezer burn' which happens if ice forms inside the bag when frozen, permanently damaging the feathers. It happens when lots of air is still in the bag while freezing or top of bag is not sealed..allowing moist air in.

When frozen solid be careful of placing other items on it in freezer...tail can snap.

When frozen solid and you have appointment with taxidermist you can remove it from freezer and bring it to him/her frozen solid...don't thaw it out beforehand. Don't delay on the journey but go straight there.

When travelling to the taxidermist don't have the heater on in car.

Professional Hunter

Serial re-reg.

Once again banned from shooting.

Professional Hunter

Serial re-reg.

Once again banned from shooting.

pigeon shooter

The Big Fella wrote: »

Well lads as the title suggests I shot as unusal looking bird today which Im going to get stuffed. My question is what should I do to the bird before putting him in the freezer? Do I take the tail feathers off so they dont get damaged in the frezzer or do i leave them alone?

Did you get that bird yet surely hes stuffed by now!!

The Big Fella

Wont be long now.;):D