The Pintail is Finished

Well, I finally got up the gusto to pull out the taxidermy supplies and mount my pintail. This is the one that Dad and Nathan will remember from our memorable 2007 trip to our secret, undisclosed duck hunting location. When I look at this duck, I will always remember the long row through icy waters, the rafts of ducks against the west bank, the hen mallard that came down right next to us and smacked Dad's coat, our trusty guide (Nathan), all the drakes that came to close, the long, tough retrieves (wishing we had a dog) and most importantly, the fun & adventure the "Moon Boys" always seem to find as we head out to the marsh like crazed lunatics.

I am glad I took the time to mount this duck. Unfortunately, with my lack of experience and equipment, it took me from 8:00 am Saturday morning until 1:30 am Sunday morning to complete it (taking only a few 1/2 hour breaks). During the process, I kept having those "why am I doing this" moments, but I pushed through. I had to make it a "resting on a log" mount due to me having trouble wiring the leg into the body for a standing mount, but I like how it turned out. I still have to paint the leg and foot greyish-black, and allow it to dry a little longer. Dad may recognize the wood I used for the duck to lay on. It is the wood that we found in a dry creek bed while we searched for a cou's whitetial deer in Arizona. I cut it in half, so I can use the other half on a future mount.

Hope you enjoy the pics, I am getting myself mentally prepared to mount the drake widgeon that I got during this past year's "Moon Boy's" marsh venture.