Skinning and preserving an upland bird skin

Moderators: William Anderson, letumgo

Post Reply
User avatar
Boarmountain
Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2018 5:17 pm
Location: Boulder, MT

Skinning and preserving an upland bird skin

Post by Boarmountain » Wed Apr 24, 2019 9:19 am

Here are the steps I take to preserve a bird skin.

First, wash the bird is soapy water to remove all blood.
Image

Then make an incision from the tail to under the beak
Image

skin out the drumsticks and the wings
Image

Next move up to the head
Image

Skin out the head to the beak
Image

Remove the skull
Image

Now, put the bird in a plastic bag with borax and shake it to dry the bird. Don't forget, it's still wet from the washing step. Then dry the feathers with a blow dryer on low.
Image

Now cover the inside of the skin with borax. Let dry for several days
Image

Shake off borax
Image

A nice preserved skin, ready to use for tying.
Image
Mike B.
International, North American, National champion taxidermist specializing in "catch & release" fish mounts
Custom bamboo and glass rods
www.prairiedrifter.com
User avatar
letumgo
Site Admin
Posts: 13345
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:55 pm
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact:

Re: Skinning and preserving an upland bird skin

Post by letumgo » Wed Apr 24, 2019 11:46 am

Mike - Thank you for posting this tutorial, showing how to skin and preserve game birds. I can tell, by how cleanly you skin the bird, that you very skilled at this.

Thank you for taking the time to take step-by-step photos (not an easy task with a job like this), and for following up with the tutorial. Very much appreciated! Well done, sir. ;)

Those are some lovely feathers...
Ray (letumgo)----<°))))))><
http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php? ... er=letumgo

"The world is perfect. Appreciate the details." - Dean
User avatar
Boarmountain
Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2018 5:17 pm
Location: Boulder, MT

Re: Skinning and preserving an upland bird skin

Post by Boarmountain » Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:32 pm

No problem. If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Mike B.
International, North American, National champion taxidermist specializing in "catch & release" fish mounts
Custom bamboo and glass rods
www.prairiedrifter.com
User avatar
Boarmountain
Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2018 5:17 pm
Location: Boulder, MT

Re: Skinning and preserving an upland bird skin

Post by Boarmountain » Thu Apr 25, 2019 10:04 am

ForumGhillie wrote: Thu Apr 25, 2019 9:36 am Mike, thanks for the "How-to" lesson.

Isn't there some meat and/or fat that has to be scraped off the skin as well?

John
There shouldn't be any meat if you take your time skinning. As for fat, depends on the bird, as that can vary.
Mike B.
International, North American, National champion taxidermist specializing in "catch & release" fish mounts
Custom bamboo and glass rods
www.prairiedrifter.com
wsbailey
Posts: 990
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:30 pm
Location: Fort Wayne Indiana

Re: Skinning and preserving an upland bird skin

Post by wsbailey » Thu Apr 25, 2019 11:00 am

I like using one of these for scraping thin skins like with birds or rabbits.

Image
http://www.dexterrussellcutlery.com/dex ... 0-s2592sc/
User avatar
Theroe
Posts: 1450
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 11:42 pm
Location: New York City

Re: Skinning and preserving an upland bird skin

Post by Theroe » Wed Jun 02, 2021 3:22 pm

wsbailey wrote: Thu Apr 25, 2019 11:00 am I like using one of these for scraping thin skins like with birds or rabbits.

Image
http://www.dexterrussellcutlery.com/dex ... 0-s2592sc/
Trusty grapefruit nice works well. Although I found you have to be real careful as they will slice through very thin bird or rabbit skin. I use a spoon..... once you get the hang of it, you won’t punch any holes through good health. And I need all the help I can get!
Dana
Soft and wet - the only way....
Post Reply