trophy pheasant?

[vister]

just curious, what do you guys consider a mountable pheasant? tail length, the story with it, their beauty? i got one last weekend that i am leaning on taking in to the taxidermist. very full of color, and its winter plumage. no flight feathers damaged on wings or its rear fan. butting tape measure into its rear, tails are 23 inches long, not including its feather quill, so i'd say close to 24, maybe a bit better. its my best rooster to date, and taking into consideration we don't really have a SD style pheasant status where we hunt, i'm thinking he is worthy of going on the wall, any thoughts?

[varmithtr]

I couldn't tell you what makes a textbook trophy pheasant, but, if the bird is a trophy to you, don't worry what anyone else thinks. If you have the means, mount the bird and remember a great hunt. Nice kill!

[muc33]

I agree completely with the above statement. If it is a trophy to you, who cares what anyone else thinks. A mountable anything is always only up to you! You have pride or a story or a special memory with that choice, so if you want to remember it. GO FOR IT!

[grab the net]

With birds I think that as long as it is a good representation of the bird you normally hunt go for it. That sounds like a very nice bird to put on the wall or floor or however you decide to put him up.

[Rooster Chaser]

Spur length is something to consider too, but the story behind it always means the most.

[Walleye Guy]

A mature bird with good color that isn't shot up or damaged by the dog is a good specimen for mounting. Tail feather length and spur length are also considerations.

The story behind the hunt is probably the most important feature though.

[NWBuck]

I mounted a piebald rooster that I shot a number of years ago. Specks and streaks of white are found throughout this very mature bird. It was the unique features of the bird that got me to finally mount one, and it is among my favorite mounts down here in the man cave.

[gspman]

For me it's about the story. Everything I have on the wall has a unique story behind it and almost all specimens are nowhere near my best/biggest of that type.

[sig]

For me its all about the white ring around the neck. Tail feathers you can always add a long one later. If you find one with a thick ring that goes all the way around you got yourself a kingpin!

[brittman]

Trophies are in the eye of the beholder. Go for it.

From a practical point of view, the bird needs to be in decent shape (not too shot up, majority of feathers intact, blood is less of an issue on pheasants than lighter colored birds, but ..)

... spending that kind of money to mount birds, long term you will be happy if the work is done well by a top taxidermist, but taxidermists can only do so much with what is handed over to them.

summary

make sure bird is in excellent shape

research taxidermists

- see their work, talk to other clients

don't wait a year to bring the bird in

[Powerstroke]

I agree with everything said above. 23" tail feathers!!! wow. Most of my birds this year have had feathers of 18" or less.

I know its tough for you, comparing it to that B&C buck.....Looks like you're having a great year in the field. Congrats.

[2thepointsetters]

Almost every rooster we shot this year was a mature bird. It wasn't uncommon to get 2 or 3 over or close to 23" per day. I had a couple that would have made really nice mounts but I have a bigger bird from ND at the taxidermist already. If I didnt hunt much I would put a 23 on the wall because that is still a respectable bird.

[lenny7]

I've never been one to care much about mounted animals, but now that my 11 year old has started hunting with me, I may have his first, or one of his first, bird mounted. That would sure be a trophy in my eyes.

[mrfish1991]

my first phesant ever is still my personal best. just a tich under 23" long including the quill. there was an exciting story behind that one...esp since it was my first bird