"vincent p. norris" wrote in message
...
Does anyone know of an illustrative webpage that shows the best way to
skin
birds to keep as many feathers in tact for fly tying. I'd like to give it
to
a duck hunter friend. Thanks.

Vince wrote:
I don't know of a web page, but since you haven't received any
reponses, here's a suggestion.
Years ago, a friend told me how to skin pheasant: Cut off the wings
at the "elbows" and the legs at the knees. Then just "unzip" the
skin like a windbreadker and take the skin off like removing a jacket.
It really works, and will probably work on a duck, too.
vince

Hi guys,
Goggle is still your friend for the original poster.
But . . .in spite of that . . .I have processed a few bird skins in my time.
A couple book references:
"Fly-Tying Materials" by Eric Leiser, about 1973.
(talks about processing skins)
"Dyeing and Bleaching Natural Fly-Tying Materials", by A.K.Best, about 1993.
(talks about processing for dyeing)

I have also wandered through a site that I thought had pretty good info on
feathers. . . might have been "global flyfisher" or something. like that.
Others here will know if they want to play in this thread.

A suggestion though. I have never had much luck with "friends" processing
skins. When I used to hunt I "volunteered" to process the game. . ..from
elk to deer to birds to rabbits, etc. When "friends" did it I got a lot of
interesting results. So . . . you need to know the bird . . . anatomically
speaking . . . for feathers for fly tying. I use most feathers for all
various things. And there are "game" birds and protected birds. Know the
difference.

Hmmm . . . apparently too much time on my hands this morning.
DaveMohnsen
Denver
(uhh . . .and you folks that are actually fishin' . . . heck with you . .
..but good luck any way)