Unreadable Drake Spoony Band

[FlyByWigeon]

Howdy all,

I shot a banded drake spoony this past Saturday where the last 4 digits are worn off. I wanted to get opinions on if my only option is to send it in? Do they end up ruining the band? Is there something I can do myself to read the numbers without sending it in for acid etching? In certain lighting I can maybe see some numbers but it's not 100%. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

Congrats. Wister?

I have no helpful suggestions but I'd be worried about sending it in and not getting it back. If it were me, I'd get it mounted if it's a nice one and be happy with it.

 

[HATCHET1]

Looks like an old warrior of a spoony...life-size with some habitat?

 

[Aeon]

Take some pics of It. I can read numbers in the photo. Might try some pencle graphite rubbed on it lightly.

If not drive on. Spoons are always in the mud and it wears them down quick.

 

[Mud Pigeon]

Howdy all,

I shot a banded drake spoony this past Saturday where the last 4 digits are worn off. I wanted to get opinions on if my only option is to send it in? Do they end up ruining the band? Is there something I can do myself to read the numbers without sending it in for acid etching? In certain lighting I can maybe see some numbers but it's not 100%. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

I shot a banded gadwall with no readable numbers. Sent it to the BBL for acid etching, they sent back the band unharmed and got all the numbers.

 

[ilovesprig]

I would contact by phone...The numbers seem to be very readable, that I can see...The bird appears young as well (poor plumage)…Maybe it's possible they can determine the bird with just the numbers you have.

I once sent a snow band in and it was returned...No problem.

 

[Whodini]

Bring it to a jeweler sometimes they can read with their magnifying glass

 

[FlyByWigeon]

Thanks for all the replies! I ended up using muriatic acid and water mix to raise the numbers. Worked great. The bird was 7 years old from Alberta, Canada.

 

[TRICER]

7 year old spoon!!! That guy has seen some stuff.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

X2 that's amazing.. exactly why bands are rad.

 

[stikbrandon]

7years !!! Wow, the miles that bird has flown

 

[duck-boy]

That's awesome, the 7 year spoony

 

[HATCHET1]

Made my year dude!! Outstanding!

 

[HortoTheSlayer]

Super cool!

 

[Nimrod]

Nice work! Congrats! I wonder how many times I whiffed on that one over the past 7 years!?!