Squirrel/Dove Season and New Supplies

Well, squirrel season opened last weekend and let's just say I have enough squirrel tails to last me till the day my eyes can no longer see to tie jigs.

Dove season opens up next Monday and I'm planning on using those long, gray tail feathers for something. I might also take some feathers from the breast to incorporate somehow.

I have a question about this though. Do I need to wash the feathers and tails to remove the natural oils from them before I use them on jigs? I do not plan to die them because I like the original colors. Just wondering if it is necessary to wash them.

if you don't get an answer here, give Grousefly a hollar ;)

I sent him some Dove feathers, awhile back, and he fixed me up with some jigs made with them. I doubt he'd mind givin you the skinny on any prep work needed.

PM him .... Grousefly ;
or
email him .... [email protected]

Wish I could give you a report on how they perform, or how well the feathers stand up to use .... but, alas, I have not used the ones I have.

... cp :cool:

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Originally Posted by Black Crow

Well, squirrel season opened last weekend and let's just say I have enough squirrel tails to last me till the day my eyes can no longer see to tie jigs.

Dove season opens up next Monday and I'm planning on using those long, gray tail feathers for something. I might also take some feathers from the breast to incorporate somehow.

I have a question about this though. Do I need to wash the feathers and tails to remove the natural oils from them before I use them on jigs? I do not plan to die them because I like the original colors. Just wondering if it is necessary to wash them.

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When most people use duck feathers they don't want to remove the natural oils so I would not wash them unless they get muddy or bloody. If you keep the whole skin just cure it with borax and pickling salt until dry. Making sure to scraps all meat off the skin. You can tack them to a board or something with skin up. If you pick the feathers just make sure all meat is off and maybe let them dry before putting them in a bag.

They only real reason to wash any feathers that I know of is to clean them if dirty.

The only other thing I would do is check with fish and game dept in your state as that is a migratory bird and some birds (like the Eagle) you can't even pick up feathers off the ground to use unless you have a special license. Very few people can do that, but again I have no idea about Dove.

Skip

CP, Yeah, Grousefly is something else. He's working on some jig heads for me right now. This is my first batch of heads that I have ordered from him, so I'm looking forward to seeing them. I really like him.

Skip, I didn't know using those dove feathers may be a concern. I'll be sure to check first. I have already used some unwashed duck feathers because I specifically wanted the natural oil to be in the feathers. Here's a picture of one I made a few weeks ago from a mallard drake tail feather.

Sorry the picture is so fuzzy. I took it with my cell phone.

This jig is honestly not as bulky as it looks. It is on a 1/32 jig head. I put it under water to see how it would look and that duck tail feather moves all around and looks like the legs of a struggling bug. Pretty neat. Anyway, what do you guys think?

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Originally Posted by Black Crow

CP, Yeah, Grousefly is something else. He's working on some jig heads for me right now. This is my first batch of heads that I have ordered from him, so I'm looking forward to seeing them. I really like him.

Skip, I didn't know using those dove feathers may be a concern. I'll be sure to check first. I have already used some unwashed duck feathers because I specifically wanted the natural oil to be in the feathers. Here's a picture of one I made a few weeks ago from a mallard drake tail feather.

Sorry the picture is so fuzzy. I took it with my cell phone.

This jig is honestly not as bulky as it looks. It is on a 1/32 jig head. I put it under water to see how it would look and that duck tail feather moves all around and looks like the legs of a struggling bug. Pretty neat. Anyway, what do you guys think?

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I like it. Duck feathers have some added features with the natural oils and is why fly fishermen love that stuff. They float so good for dry flies.

I don't know about the dove feathers (never had any so have not checked) and their use, but just to be safe I would check.

Skip

To the best of my knowledge the dove feathers are okay to use.Me and the wife run a taxidermy shop on birds and the main birds that are protected are the hawk and the eagle.Dove feathers is okay to use if a person wants to.I got a bunch of mallard and goose feathers I been using.If I hear anything different Black I will let you know.

crappietime,

Thanks for the advice on the dove feathers. I'll go ahead and use them.

By the way, I didn't know you were a taxidermist. I took a look at your photobucket. You have some mighty nice lookin mounts. I'll try to send you some business this year. I've been wanting to get a nice bull pintail, and if I do, I'll send him your way.

Taxidermist, fur's feathers scraps and trimmings. You're gonna be everyone's new best friend crappietime. I think with all the painting and tying Ship has to do he should go down at the bottom of the list :p :D:D

Couldn't resist Ship.

Black Crow, what feather did you use up by the head of the jig??? Check out this jig collar method at Fly Fish Ohio, Ship you might like this one too with all the fox tails you have, just do it on a smaller scale

http://www.flyfishohio.com/Tying-a-g...h-bass-jig.htm


Fatman

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Originally Posted by Fatman

what feather did you use up by the head of the jig??? Fatman

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I used a mallard drake tail feather. Every mallard drake has a couple of them. They are short, thick-spined feathers, but they have a natural grain to them, which is what makes them flare out like that on the collar.

Here's a picture of what I'm talking about. You see those two flipped up feathers on the duck's tail? I used one of those. I just wrapped it around like a regular piece of hackle.

I haven't seen those tail feathers in the store, but that's not to say you can't find them in a store. I picked them last year from a few ducks I shot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fatman

Taxidermist, fur's feathers scraps and trimmings. You're gonna be everyone's new best friend crappietime. I think with all the painting and tying Ship has to do he should go down at the bottom of the list :p :D:D

Couldn't resist Ship.

Black Crow, what feather did you use up by the head of the jig??? Check out this jig collar method at Fly Fish Ohio, Ship you might like this one too with all the fox tails you have, just do it on a smaller scale

How to Tie a Smallmouth Bass Jig, Video - Fly Fish Ohio


Fatman

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How do you know Ship is even reading this thread? LOL!

Skip and not Ship

What do you do to cure the squirrel tail ? The one I got from BPS looks like they cut it off the squirrel, let it dry, put it in a bag and took my $3.99.

The way I do my squirrel tails is pretty simple. I knock them in the little head with a tiny 22 and put the tails in a ziploc bag and put them in the freezer. As I get more I just keep adding them to the bag...NO WATER...just the tail itself. The freezer will dry them out for you. If there is any ice build up, just lay them out on some papertowels or newpapers to dry, before you get ready to use them. Just make sure you get them in there as straight as you can. There is nothing no more aggrevating than a crooked tail when it comes to tying. As for the rest of the squirrel, some of mom's buttermilk biscuits, a few cooked or baked sweet taters, and the gravy will take care of itself...lol....now I'm starvin'...:D

Sorry had a finger fart!!:D:D Basic fly tying course will really make you a better jig tyer as the biggest lesson you pick up is proportions, it really helps.

Fatman

GF I go for the 12 gauge in head. But now I have an exuseto go squirrel hunting. Save money on supplies honey and providing food for the family:D She will never go for it.

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Originally Posted by fishing buddy

GF I go for the 12 gauge in head. But now I have an exuseto go squirrel hunting. Save money on supplies honey and providing food for the family:D She will never go for it.

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FB, she will soon be amazed at all the goodies you bring home. First with the greys and then with the fillets that the grey's provide...lol. It's a never ending cycle...lol. Before long you will be eye'in roadkill...:eek: