A wigeon drake worthy of mounting. Photo by Tosh Brown. Waterfowl and upland birds require special care and storage if destined for the taxidermist and, ultimately, your wall. Feathers, feet, beaks, and necks need to be protected from the moment you retrieve the bird to the moment you drop it off.

World waterfowl taxidermy champion Dale Manning of Custom Bird Works and Big Game Connections in Missoula, Mont., says that if you think you might want to get a bird mounted, you must first keep the dog away from it and refrain from adding it to your strap or leaving it …read more