Waterfowl Taxidermy / Dead Mount

Dead Mount Ducks

The classic gallery-style mount — ducks presented as if freshly brought to hand, on a weathered board, wire, or custom wall plaque. Honest, timeless, heritage-driven.

Most ducks are $575 in any pose (eiders and scoters $675); panels and straps are quoted with the mount. Mounted in our Jefferson, Wisconsin studio; drop off in Jefferson or New Franken, or ship.

Start Your Mount →See the Gallery

dead mount ducks mallard stehlings taxidermy

The craft

What makes a great dead mount duck

A dead mount captures the bird the way hunters historically displayed their limit — draped naturally, feathers relaxed, often on a barnwood backer or hung from a decorative wire. Done right, it is one of the most honest, understated ways to preserve a duck.

We offer single-bird dead mounts, strap mounts, hanging mounts, and grouped dead mounts on custom-built backers. Every bird is inspected, skinned, fleshed, and washed before posing — the rustic look does not skip any craft steps.

What to expect

Built the right way, every time

Every mount we deliver goes through the same meticulous process — no shortcuts, regardless of pose or species.

Custom backers

Barnwood, reclaimed oak, or sculpted habitat panels — hand-built for each mount.

Hanging options

Strap, wire, hook, or multi-bird spread on a single backer.

Species variety

Mallards, woodies, pintails, teal, divers — every species looks right in dead mount style.

Recent work

Gallery

Dead mount ducks recently completed for clients.

Complete layout boat duck scene with hand-painted sunset marsh backdrop

Full dead mount duck display with a layout boat set against a framed sunset marsh painting

Angled view of a dead mount duck boat scene with shed antler and cattail habitat

Overhead view of a layout boat duck display with decoys, shed antler and marsh grass

Close detail of dried marsh grass and cattail habitat in a custom duck boat display

Layout boat duck scene with a shed antler, dried marsh grass and dead mount ducks

Pintail and mallard dead mounts in a layout boat with cattails and a shed antler

Dead mount ducks draped over the bow of a layout boat with decoys and marsh grass

Drake mallard laid among decoys, decoy line and a shell box inside a layout boat display

Dead mount duck display built by Stehling's Taxidermy in Jefferson, Wisconsin

Two drake mallard dead mounts hanging side by side with wings spread on a grey backer

Drake mallard dead mount on a grey barnwood backer against a cedar wall

Duck dead mounts hanging on a grey backer displayed with a shotgun

Several drake mallard dead mounts hanging together on a grey backer against a cedar wall

Drake mallard and a white goose mounted together on a grey barnwood backer

Drake mallard dead mount on a weathered post beside a framed photograph of a black Labrador

Drake mallard dead mount hanging from a weathered post with wings spread

Two drake mallard dead mounts on a weathered wood backer with cattail and dried grass habitat

Duck dead mounts hanging from a grey barnwood backer against a cedar plank wall

Duck dead mounts in a framed grey backer on a white wall beside other bird mounts

Two diver ducks mounted together on a sculpted rock habitat base

Close-up of diver ducks on a coastal rock base with an orange starfish and shells

Side view of two diver ducks mounted on a sculpted rock habitat base

Two diver ducks mounted on a rock base with decoy line, viewed from above

Two diver ducks mounted on a rock base with green marsh vegetation

Drake mallard dead mount hanging on a post with waterfowl decoys behind

Three drake mallard dead mounts on a weathered wood backer with cattail habitat

Drake mallard dead mount hanging on a grey backer against a cedar wall

Drake mallard mount with cattail habitat detail on a cedar plank wall

Drake mallard dead mounts on a grey backer against a cedar plank wall

Wall display of flying duck mounts arranged around a framed dead mount panel on a cedar wall

Duck dead mounts on a grey barnwood backer displayed with a shotgun

Dark duck mount on a habitat base with tall cattails and marsh grass

Diver duck mounts on a sculpted rock habitat base

Close-up of diver ducks on a coastal rock base with a starfish and shells

Two diver ducks mounted on a rock and shell habitat base in the showroom

Two diver duck mounts posed on a rock habitat base

Pair of diver ducks mounted on a rock base with green marsh vegetation

Drake mallard dead mount on a weathered post next to a framed photo of a black Labrador

Duck dead mounts hanging on a white wall between whitetail deer mounts

Transparent pricing

Duck mounting rates

Ducks (per bird)$575

Eiders & Scoters (per bird)$675

Base rates for standard poses, per bird. Habitat, groupings and specialty work are quoted per project. Geese, cranes and swans are on the full price list.

See the Full Price List → Request a Custom Quote

Field care

Get the most out of your bird

The 30 seconds after the bird hits the ground matter more than anything we do in the studio. Follow these basics to protect your mount:

Do not gut or field-dress the bird
Smooth feathers in natural direction
Tuck the bird’s head under its wing, place it in one or two Ziploc bags or garbage bags, and freeze it
Label the bag with the species and date

Full Field Care Guide →

How to start

Jefferson, New Franken or shipping

Every waterfowl mount is built in our Jefferson studio. Use whichever drop-off is closest to you.

Jefferson studio

913 N Parkway Street, Jefferson, WI. Drop off, talk through poses and pick up here. (920) 650-7800 · Location & hours

New Franken showroom

3861 Algoma Road, near Green Bay. Drop off and pick up here; your bird is mounted in Jefferson. (920) 650-8972 · Location & hours

Shipping from out of state

Call or text first, freeze the bird solid, ship on a Monday and include a migratory bird tag. Shipping steps · Current hours

Ready when you are

Let’s build something worth the wait

Every bird we take in gets the same standard of care. Start your project below or give us a call.

Begin Your Waterfowl Mount →Call (920) 650-7800

Duck Dead Mounts: The Classic Duck Taxidermy Pose

A duck dead mount, sometimes called a hanging mount or a game-strap mount, is the oldest style of duck taxidermy there is: the bird hung by the feet with the wings relaxed and the head down, the way a brace of ducks hangs on the porch after a hunt. It is a quiet, traditional piece that fits a cabin wall, an office, or a spot beside a vintage shotgun where a flying bird would look out of place. Stehling’s has been building dead mounts since 1978, and every one is mounted in our Jefferson, Wisconsin studio under Aaron and Austin Stehling.

Single Dead Mount

One bird on a small wall panel or hung from a leather strap or a nail head. A drake mallard mount, wood duck, pintail, or canvasback all work well.

Pair and Brace Mounts

A drake and hen, or two drakes of different species, hung together from one strap. A mallard and a black duck, or a pintail and a wigeon, are classic pairings.

Duck and Goose Straps

A full strap of three to five birds, ducks and a goose together, is a showpiece for a lodge or a large wall. Quoted per project. See dead mount duck and goose mounts.

Dead Mount Pricing

Most duck dead mounts are $575 per bird; eiders and scoters are $675 per bird. Canada goose $800. Panels and straps are quoted with the mount. Pay in full, 50/50 (half at order, half due in eight months), three installments, or monthly through our Easy 8 Payment Plan. See the full price list.

Dead Mount FAQ

Is a dead mount cheaper than a flying duck mount?

No. Most ducks are $575 at Stehling’s regardless of pose (eiders and scoters are $675); you choose the look you like.

Can a duck with wing damage be a dead mount?

A dead mount shows the wings in a relaxed position. Whether a bird can be mounted, and which poses are suitable, depends on its condition. Contact us before shipping or bring it in so we can assess it and discuss the options.

Do you do dead mounts of grouse, pheasant, or woodcock?

Yes. Upland bird dead mounts and mixed straps are $575 per bird.