How to Preserve a Duck for Mounting (The Right Way)
You just smoked your dream duck. Now you're standing there holding this bird thinking, alright, what do I do with it?
Most guys throw it in a plastic bag, toss it in the cooler, and figure they'll deal with it later. By the time it gets to the taxidermist, the feathers are bent, and that bird doesn't look anything like it did when you pulled it out of the marsh. This ends up being a nightmare for taxidermists.
Here's what to do instead. First thing is first. Let the bird cool off before you start.
Step 1: Lightly groom feathers and rinse off any blood.
Pat it dry, don't scrub. You'll wreck the feathers if you go at it too hard.
Step 2: Place the gauze ball inside the mouth gently.
This keeps blood from dripping onto the bird's feathers.
Step 3: Wet the towelettes, wrap the head and bill along with both feet.
Use straps to hold the towelettes in place. This is the step that actually does the preserving. It stops bacteria and keeps the skin in good shape all the way to the taxidermist.
Step 4: Lay the head of the bird back onto the body.
Keeps everything in the right position and protects the neck during transport.
Step 5: Fill out the federal migratory bird tag, then place it inside your freezer bag.
Don't skip this one. It's required by law when transporting migratory birds.
Step 6: Gently place the bird inside the freezer bag and squeeze out any air. Place in freezer.
If you're getting it to the taxidermist in the next day or two, a cooler on ice works fine. Longer than that, freeze it. A properly preserved duck stays mount ready for a few months in the freezer, with the Tagged and Bagged kit, your bird is safe for 3+ years in the freezer!
The whole thing takes about five minutes. The kit is everything you need, fits in your blind bag, and runs $24.99. Cheapest insurance you'll ever buy on a bird you're proud of.
Grab a Duck Preservation Kit here →
Heading out for more than one bird?
Grab the Quad Duck Pack. Four complete kits for $79.99 so you're covered no matter how good the hunting gets.
At Tagged and Bagged, we are here to preserve your once in a lifetime memory!