Reply With QuoteThe best feathers from the birds there would be the flank feathers from a mallard drake. Looks like you have enough of those to make quite a few jigs. I would pluck and bag them, but they also need to be washed really good before you store them.
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Slabmaster II
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What feathers do I need to save? Is it best to skin and dry or pluck and bag?
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The best feathers from the birds there would be the flank feathers from a mallard drake. Looks like you have enough of those to make quite a few jigs. I would pluck and bag them, but they also need to be washed really good before you store them.
Slabmaster II
Don't forget to pluck the CDC feathers around the oil gland
Steve-stabgnid
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Slabmaster II
Thanks I skinned 3 mallards, 1 drake woodduck , 1 goose and plucked the rest of Drake mallards. I didn't get the cdc feathers on on the plucked. I will next weekend.
Thanks! What do you wash the feathers in?
Warm water and soap? If you use soap what type?
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Yes Duck especially Mallard, Gadwall and a few others Flank Feathers and from the geese I am not sure how big their marabou is, but take it if it's good enough. Also if you ever want to do any flies I am sure a lot of the under stuff may be good dubbing?
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Slabmaster II
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I use hot water and Dawn dish detergent. After rinsing really good I let them dry and then freeze them for a couple days to make sure any microscopic bugs are dead. Then I trim the fluffy portion off and I'm ready to tie or dye.
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I use dawn dish detergent and 20 Mule Team borax - get a big can with a lid and shake them up and let soak, shake again and let soak again then get a strainer and drain and rinse them. lay on paper towel and put more on top and squeeze out most of the water. Then toss them in a pillow case with a non-scented dryer sheet and 5 minutes of heat then air and then bag em up. I have a quarantine box and they stay there for a minimum of 45 days. I've been using this method for years and never got a bug yet. the borax seems to be a bug deterrent. I've never bought the sticking them or fur in the freezer - if bugs can survive in below 0 temps I don't believe a freezer is going to help!
Slabmaster II
