I killed a turkey on sunday, and was thinking of mounting him. I heard that turkey mounts are the biggest reason for infestation of taxidermy by bugs. My question is how big of a concern is this? I know some taxi's are better than others, but if this is a common problem I don't know if I should risk it.
turkey mount causing problems?
- Thread starter broadfork
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HunterHarry
Long Time Member
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- 5,002
Not sure I can prove that, but I heard the same thing about all birds.
I got rid of all my bird mounts long ago for that very reason.
HH
I got rid of all my bird mounts long ago for that very reason.
HH
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firemedic56
Guest
I'm assuming that you're talking about 'grease bugs' guys,....the ones that make the hair or feathers fall out of your mounts. They are the larvae of a little moth I do believe and they will wreck most any bird or mammal mount if left unchecked. It seems to me that the reason they are found so often on birds is that we (taxidermists) can't really tan a bird skin like we do a mammal. They eat the grease that's left in the bird skins and therefore destroy the epidermis and the feather roots. I would mount my turkey if I wanted to and just keep a close eye on your bird or small mammal mounts for signs of the little critters. Look your mounts over often and if you see any bit of feather, hair or extra 'dust' underneath the mount....get it out of the house right then, put it in a box with some moth balls and seal it up for a couple of weeks.....that should get rid of them. Hope this helps you guys.
C
cataximan
Guest
myself I have had two turkeys I shot and mouted back in 93 . they have never had a problem nor any bird I have mounted .It can happen like the guy before said ,and it dont matter who mounted it.this happens about as much as getting hit with lightning. get it done you will be fine ,they do sell mouth blocker for fur mounts and most spray this on just as long term insurance. this stuff last for years. good luck
HunterHarry
Long Time Member
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I had a Honker get buggy.
No way in Hell I was going to risk my big game mounts for a silly bird.
A lot depends on where you live as those nasty bugs are more prevelant in certain climates.
This is a must read for anyone with a valuable collection of mounts....
http://bowsite.com/bowsite/features/articles/bugs/
No way in Hell I was going to risk my big game mounts for a silly bird.
A lot depends on where you live as those nasty bugs are more prevelant in certain climates.
This is a must read for anyone with a valuable collection of mounts....
http://bowsite.com/bowsite/features/articles/bugs/
