Mount or Eat!?

[crich]

Every duck season I tell myself Im going to mount a bird or two. Inevitably, when the day comes and I kill a beautiful drake in full plumage I guilt trip myself into eating it. I cant bring myself to toss it in the freezer only to stick it on the wall. As much as I'd love to add a few birds to the wall in the house the thought of killing it only for a mount is overwhelming. Anyone else go through this before mounting a bird?

 

[hobbes]

No, but if it bothers you, take it straight to the taxidermist and ask them to skin it right then and there so you can keep the meat.

 

[ShortMountain91]

I've breasted them out and then still get a mount and it looked fine to me and they tasted even better than they looked

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[Sccritterkiller]

I like a fat plucked mallards spatchcock grilled as much as the next guy..but something to be said for a great mount.

 

[Agross]

That is awesome!!

 

[TxxAgg]

You're "using" the bird for a purpose either way, so don't feel bad about killing it and not eating it. It's just one bird.

 

[Peteyur]

Have the taxidermy guy skin it and give you the meat.

 

[Oregon]

Anyone else go through this before mounting a bird?

No.

 

[Laramie]

I have felt the same. As others have mentioned, the taxidermist can save the meat. I have quite a few bird mounts. For the last several, I had to freeze them for a while before I could get them in to the taxidermist. I still had him save the meat. I used it to make my dog a great meal to reward him for all his hard work. That's better than tossing it in the garbage to me.

I hate to waste any game meat for any reason so I understand your emotions. I think more people should feel more obligated in that department.

 

[Stalker69]

There’s no reason you can’t do both, why do you think there is ? I have mounted many birds and still them.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I like a fat plucked mallards spatchcock grilled as much as the next guy..but something to be said for a great mount.
View attachment 246142

That is super cool.
And I'm not even into birds.

 

[Rob5589]

When I first started duck hunting I shot a huge Canvasback drake. I ate him not knowing how tough they are to come by here and how nice he was. Still regret that one.

 

[huntineveryday]

If it was legally taken, use the bird in the way you feel best about and have no guilt over it. Eating it, getting it mounted, or using it for dog training purposes are all appropriate use of the resource.

I do regret not saving a drake wigeon for the wall in my early years of waterfowling. I plucked a handful of feathers off his breast as I thought "wow, this guy is the best looking wigeon I've seen". I haven't shot one that looked that good in the 7 years since then!

 

[Deerfanatic31]

I have felt the same. As others have mentioned, the taxidermist can save the meat. I have quite a few bird mounts. For the last several, I had to freeze them for a while before I could get them in to the taxidermist. I still had him save the meat. I used it to make my dog a great meal to reward him for all his hard work. That's better than tossing it in the garbage to me.

I hate to waste any game meat for any reason so I understand your emotions. I think more people should feel more obligated in that department.

Agreed on all your points! Watching the happy dog eat it for its reward would be the best part of it all!

 

[skyler_2010]

I like a fat plucked mallards spatchcock grilled as much as the next guy..but something to be said for a great mount.
View attachment 246142

This makes me wish I had kept my mallard from this season.......

 

[1arrowshort]

Mount it, you won't regret it. yes we should make every effort to utilize all of our taken game but I make exceptions when it comes to a mount. I've killed a lot of pheasants over the years and finally mounted one this year. I get more questions/comments about the roosters looks, how I shot it, were I shot it, etc. etc. Not one how it tasted. you get to relive the hunt every time some one sees it.