dflanagan 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2017 I just got a few pairs of mallard wings and have had some trouble plucking the feathers. The wings are, obviously, stiff and folded. I'd like to make them more pliable. Anyone have any tips? Just a wash in warm water and a gentle detergent? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bugsy 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2017 Clip the quills Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2017 yup clip the slips with scissors why are they folded? they shouldnt be show us a photo of what youre wing looks like for a better understanding of the problem see post #10 http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=80822 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dflanagan 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2017 Sorry, bad description. I mean the wings are are in a closed position. Just normal position for the wing from a dead bird. What I'd like to do is get them to open up a bit more and make it a bit easier to get to the base of the quill without tearing up the feathers. Could be I'm overthinking it and just need to start pulling. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spiralspey 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2017 I wouldn't wash the wings. I don't know what exactly was done to dry and preserve the wings, but I wouldn't want to get the skin, and possibly muscle, under the feathers wet because then it might rot, smell or both. If you want to be able to flare the wing out you may need to cut or break the joint in the wing to be able to unfold it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dflanagan 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2017 Flytire, I've looked over that thread many times. Lots of good info. Post #10 is exactly how I prep my quills once I've gotten them off the wing. Makes life a lot easier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2017 Start pulling and stop overthinking Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cphubert 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2017 Yep, from both wings, start pulling and matching. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dflanagan 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2017 Start pulling and stop overthinking Yep, from both wings, start pulling and matching. Got 'em started. Apparently, three of the four "matched" pairs I got weren't really matched. Just a right from this bird, a left from that one and they must have had 10 birds to take wings from. But they're working. In pretty decent shape. Got some broken quills because they were stuck so tight but they'll work until I can get some better pairs. Time for another order or a duck stamp so I can shoot my own. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cphubert 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2017 Yes find a hunter or hunt yourself, matched wings from the same bird are much easier to manage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redietz 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2017 Got 'em started. Apparently, three of the four "matched" pairs I got weren't really matched. Just a right from this bird, a left from that one and they must have had 10 birds to take wings from. But they're working. In pretty decent shape. Got some broken quills because they were stuck so tight but they'll work until I can get some better pairs. Time for another order or a duck stamp so I can shoot my own. I've bought supposedly "matched" pairs and received two right wings. I wasn't happy. The quills come out much more easily if you soak the wings in hot, soapy water for about 15 minutes before removing them. (Using pliers helps, too.) Rinse the rest of the wing and dry thoroughly. Every feather in the wing can be used -- the coverts made great soft hackles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites