I attempted to do a squirrel a few years ago, and thought i did pretty decent. Got one of those Van Dyke kits from cabelas. I did a decent job of the skinning, just one of the eye lids ripped a little on me, and hard to get the meat out of the tows, and some small places. Only big problem i had was my plaster/platisc mount that it came with. It was little to short, and to wide for my squirrel. There was some putty I think that came with it but not nearly enough to make it work. I just chucked everything in the trash.

Now... is the Van Dykes kit the best out there? Or is there a better way? Also I will be going duck hunting here in the next week or two, and plan on getting a few mallards/woodys. Are ducks easy for someone that has little/no expierence? Even if it turns out good, i want it to last and not fall appart in a few years from using cheap materials. Also does any place sell like a cheaper "basic" tool set to get someone started? I would really like to do this in my spare time, and attempted it before so know I am interested. I also plan on getting a ringneck pheaseant and was told they are easy as well. I would like to have a few animals under my belt this season and maybe attempt a deer shoulder mount as I get better.

Thanks