Hopefully I’ll have a Caper to take care of in April. I’ve read a few recommendations on field care, etc. Does anyone have any to share? Also, any taxidermist recommendations in the US? I know birds are kind of a specialty.

Where are you going to hunt it? Bulgaria I guess? When I went the guides put the bird in a women’s tight to keep the feathers in the right direction then froze it ASAP. The taxidermist mounted mine there and shipped it to me.

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I think you call them pantyhose on your side of the pond. And indeed thats what lots of outfitters use in Sweden, Russia, Finland and elsewhere for caper and black grouse. Keeps the shape and feathers in place and can then be wrapped in moist newspaper and frozen,

You may want to ask a female friend to buy them for you as nobody will buy your story if you tell the girl at the cash desk that you need them for a hunting trip to store your trophy in !!


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When stationed in Germany long ago I of course toured a bunch of castles, which invariably had huge collections of trophies including some epic stags, but none more impressed me than those bad-ass chickens

Thanks for all the replies. It seems the Pantyhose and freeze method only works if you have the taxidermy done in the country where it was taken. I’m planning to have the taxidermy done in the US, so the bird will have to be skinned and shipped.

Texan,

Are you sure you can import a raw skin (not tanned) into USA? Second: are you sure your taxydemist is able to deal properly with a capercallie?
I respectfully suggest you have the job done in Europe.

quote:

Originally posted by ofbiro:
Texan,

Are you sure you can import a raw skin (not tanned) into USA? Second: are you sure your taxydemist is able to deal properly with a capercallie?
I respectfully suggest you have the job done in Europe.

I’d have mine done where you shot it also as they will be specialists in it. Getting it shipped isn’t a problem but if your having glass put over it then better to wait till it reaches home to sort that

+1 for European taxidermist



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quote:

Originally posted by ofbiro:
Texan,

Are you sure you can import a raw skin (not tanned) into USA? Second: are you sure your taxydemist is able to deal properly with a capercallie?
I respectfully suggest you have the job done in Europe.

No problem importing a salted skin. The veterinary requirements are the same as for a finished bird. I will investigate local (European) options also. Thanks for the input

quote:

Originally posted by Hunt Inter:

quote:

Originally posted by ofbiro:
Texan,

Are you sure you can import a raw skin (not tanned) into USA? Second: are you sure your taxydemist is able to deal properly with a capercallie?
I respectfully suggest you have the job done in Europe.

I’d have mine done where you shot it also as they will be specialists in it. Getting it shipped isn’t a problem but if your having glass put over it then better to wait till it reaches home to sort that

Thanks, can you explain “having glass put over it?” Not sure what that means.

quote:

Originally posted by TrademarkTexan:

quote:

Originally posted by Hunt Inter:

quote:

Originally posted by ofbiro:
Texan,

Are you sure you can import a raw skin (not tanned) into USA? Second: are you sure your taxydemist is able to deal properly with a capercallie?
I respectfully suggest you have the job done in Europe.

I’d have mine done where you shot it also as they will be specialists in it. Getting it shipped isn’t a problem but if your having glass put over it then better to wait till it reaches home to sort that

Thanks, can you explain “having glass put over it?” Not sure what that means.

Many people have birds made on a base and glass also to protect the bird from dust and damage. I will try figure out how to upload a pic to show...

http://frankiefullernaturalhis...lie-by-rowland-ward/

Like that

I see, thanks for the clarification.

Here is mine (now i worked out how to use photobucket) before the glass went on. Shot in Bulgaria, mounted in Austria and resides in South England now.

[URL= ]

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Nice looking grouse Sam. Must have been a big piece of glass ! I'd you take him with a rifle or shotgun?

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quote:

Originally posted by Charlie64:
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Nice looking grouse Sam. Must have been a big piece of glass ! I'd you take him with a rifle or shotgun?

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Beretta Ulrika 391 12g using 40gr 0 shot. Was borrowed from guide. Absolutely wonderful hunt I recommend to anyone. Hearing them call and waking up at 02.30 to start the hunt at 04.00 was great.

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We go in December. Capercaillie and black grouse ! Really looking forward to it!


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quote:

Originally posted by Charlie64:
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We go in December. Capercaillie and black grouse ! Really looking forward to it!


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Black Grouse I need badly! Where are you going?

quote:

Originally posted by TrademarkTexan:
Hopefully I’ll have a Caper to take care of in April. I’ve read a few recommendations on field care, etc. Does anyone have any to share? Also, any taxidermist recommendations in the US? I know birds are kind of a specialty.

How did your hunt go?