Got a nice group of birds the last couple days and I’m thinking about getting a couple mounted. I got a nice bufflehead and a huge canvasback. Who would you suggest or have you seen that does good work? All I’ve found is the birdman so that’s where I’m leaning. Most guys I know I wouldn’t let touch a bird or a cat.

Dale Manning would be on my list for sure, Last Flight Taxidermy, and Flyway Taxidermy.

Birdman!

Now keep in mind, as good as he is, a lot depends on quality of the bird. There are some awesome specimens you see on his site. Even though a can may look good, they still may have a ton of pin feathers that will dictate the smoothness of the head when mounted. The shot may have hurt areas that you haven't noticed. I think Todd would certainly advise you though if the bird was worth mounting when he gets to it though. Really awesome cans can be rare, atleast in my neck of the woods.

I'm down to Birdman and Dale at this point. I've looked at a lot of guys and these 2 stand out. I picked these birds because they weren't shot up, and the feathers were in really good shape. I just want standing mounts so they should be a little more forgiving.

Check out Shane Smith also.

I don't believe you can go wrong with either one.

I sent my last 1 to Birdman. Moving forward I won't send bird anywhere else. I've had birds done faster and cheaper by other people and regret those decisions.

I would tell you to check out Dale. He does as good of a job, but costs just as much. His turn around is a little shorter but I’m not worried about that. Life’s to short to stare at bad taxidermy.

You got that right. I had a nice redhead mounted by an up and comer instead of my regular guy who was swamped at the time with work. I had seen his work and it wasn't bad and decided to throw him a bone and save a couple bucks in the process.

It was so bad I never hung it up and gave it to a buddy to put in his game room.

Thanks, I don't have any birds in the que but I'll keep him in mind for future work. Agreed on the bad taxidermy work. I've got a nice drake bufflehead I had done locally that pisses me off every time I look at it