Taxidermy

[KillerSquirrel]

I am not sure if this is the right location for this post, but here it is.

Does anyone do there own taxidermy? I think it would be fasinating to see it down and maybe even to learn.

Does anyone use a local taxidermist? How do you keep the cape until you can get it to the taxidermist?

I really know very little about it and I don't know what to do if I get that really big buck.

I am trying to learn my deer hunting as I go along.

Thanks,
Squirrel

[JIG]

THE MOUNT I CANT HELP YOU WITH BUT THE HIDE CAN BE PRESERVED WITH SALT. I HAVE A VIDEO ON HOW TOO TREAT YOUR OWN CAPES FOR WALL MOUNTS. LOOKED NICE AND EASY! HUNT ON!

[Andy Gehle]

" How do you keep the cape until you can get it to the taxidermist? " .....

COLD. If it's not cold outside, the number one thing that you can do for your cape is keep it cold. Too warm will allow the hair to start slipping....not good and can't be "undone".

[sycamoreredneck]

Another thing to remember is to give your taxidermist as much cape to work with as posible. When you are skin'n that big boy out make sure you leave as much hide on the cape as possible. My father-in-laws's dad owns a taxidermy shop back in Grafton WV. I dont know everything about taxidermy, but I know enough that I WILL start my own shop one day!!!

[Cincybass]

If you have a chop shop butcher your deer and you are going to mount it, you just need to let them know that and they will give you back the head with the correct amount of cape(ususally they return the whole cape).
If you cut it up yourself, I would recommend keeping the cape length to about the mid section of the deer(including the front legs). Some mounts include the upper part of the front legs.
Either way you need to freeze the cape with the head or take it to the taxidermist asap(keep it chilled).

[XX78]

My buddy is going to a taxidermist school in PA. Ive seen it on the outdoor channel, really nice school, good income once u get established.

[Thunderflight]

I've often thought about getting into it, but the reality is that I just don't have the time to do it.

TF

[Cincybass]

Me and my buddy got tired of the high prices and decided to learn about 12 years ago. We do about 5 heads a year. Only for close friends and family at a discounted price. You name it and we've mounted it(bear,beaver,coyote,fox,turkey,mink,fish). We make enough to pay for whatever we want to mount for ourselves for free plus a little cash in our pockets. We turn alot of work away.

[M.Magis]

I started out doing my own, though it's turned into a small business. I only do work for select people. When skinning a deer, keep as much skin on as possible. It's best if you just leave everything attached and let the taxidermist determine how much he wants. Make no cuts other than for dressing, and do not cut past the sternum. Either get it in the freezer ASAP, or to your taxidermist ASAP. DO NOT salt the hide. Unless a person knows how to split the eyes, nose, lips, and turn the ears, salting can create big problems. Also, never salt a hide if you intend to freeze it. I've seen that done, but a salted hide will not freeze the same. It really creates a mess.

[KillerSquirrel]

WOW! So many responses! I love the interaction in this community. I don't know where to start.

First, Sycamore Redneck, what's wrong with Licking County? hehe. I also live in Licking county. Southwest Licking county is my home, though it is urban America now. I hope to move out to Perry or Hocking county in a couple of years. Maybe further if land costs too much. I want land and LOTS OF IT! I just don't like the city anymore.

Cincybass and M.Magis, where did you learn? Are there local schools or can it be self-taught from a book and videos?

Next question? I thought of it as I was remember how I was taught to butcher the deer last year. Would you skin the deer down to the nose or do you cut off the head and take the whole thing to the taxidermist?

I don't want to put the cart before the horse, but I would hate to get a nice buck this year and then be sitting in my garage saying, "Ok, what do I do now?"

Thanks,
Squirrel

[XX78]

Skin the deer all the way up to the head like taking a shirt off when u have the skin loose all the way up to where the head meets the neck, u can just cut the head off at the base of the skull and give it to him. the areas around the head are very thin and sensitive and best left to a professional or experienced person. IMO

[KillerSquirrel]

Thanks, XX78. BTW, I just read your profile. Can you post a story or picture of one of those wild beasts you took with your bare hands? LOL

[Ohio Bill]

I'd love to learn taxidermy!!:D

[M.Magis]

Do just as XX78 posted, let the taxidermist do the caping. As far as schools, there are some in PA, though I prefer the do-it-yourself method. Schools only teach you the basics, and they just teach how THEY do it. There's many ways to do things, and their ways aren't always the best. I started with videos, and a LOT of reading. It takes an enormous amount of practice to be able to do top quality work, and the learning never stops. I learn something with every animal, and I still read what I can 5 days a week. Still, it's very rewarding when one's finally ready to go on the wall. I have to admit though, for all the money I've put into learning, it would have been FAR cheaper to hire the most expensive taxidermist for the work I want done.

[Cincybass]

I learned deer from a tape. My first mount looks horrible compared to our final product now. I actually had a deer head done by someone else before I started doing it. Well there was things that I could not stand looking at on that head so I remounted it myself with another cape from a different buck that I killed years later. There is definately little tricks that you pick year after year for improving your mounts. The best help is have someone give you honest feedback on things that need improved. I would think that if someone wanted to do this for a living I would recommend to go to a school. If you just want to do it as a hobby and save yourself alot of taxidermist money then just purchase tapes. Here is a few of the vendors we use: Dan Chase Taxidermy Supply, Wasco, Mckenzie, Van Dyke. I have guys that I mounted for them for years. Fish requires a litlle more artistical skills.

[KillerSquirrel]

Thanks for the great feedback, everyone!

[XX78]

Ksquirrel,

U woudnt want to see what Ive gotten with my hands