Ask a taxidermist

[Rodney]

Take another deer in and use the antlers off you 8 pointer and a cape from another deer..

Definitely an option if you can kill a buck before your season is out. When I had a processing plant and a taxidermy customer needed a cape I would offer a processing customer a discount if they let me cape their deer and get their horns back to them with their meat.

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[Blacksmith]

First, if you're a good taxidermist, thank you for all you do. If you're a bad one, for the love of all things holy, get better! I have good taxidermy and bad on my wall, and nothing is more expensive than looking at bad taxidermy every day.

As far as a question, what can I do or not do to keep a good taxidermist happy with me? Because I can live with a bad haircut and spit in my food, but I really, really want my taxidermist to like me. I have a deer on my wall that makes me shake my head every time I look at him. My first 8 point. I didn't know and couldn't afford any better, and it's been eating st me for almost 20 years.

Just take him to a reputable taxidermist and have him pull the cape and get you a new one. He.ll probably get you a new form too but can make it look really nice

 

[Recurveaholic]

What is the best animal to start learning how to do taxidermy on? How much would it cost to get a swan(sons first) mounted?

 

[Whiskerbiscuit]

You could have a reproduction skull ordered and the antlers put on that. I think they look like ****.
I would have a plaque mount done (like the pic of the little velvet horns somewhere above). Those turn out really handsome with nice antlers and good finish.

I've seen videos where plaster of Paris is used around the skull cap. Is that how you do the plaque mount or do you use some thing else around or under the skull cap to attach it to the plaque? Also, what do you like to cover the skull cap with? I was thinking buck skin or part of the cape? Do you have any pictures of some plaque mounts you've done? I've got a 148 inch set of antlers I want to have a taxidermist do a plaque mount on. I want to get somebody locally but I was wondering what your opinion on this is.

 

[KartShot]

Do you prefer the legs to be tubed or is it okay to cut through the hide as long as your sure to stay outside of the armpits?

 

[Rodney]

I've seen videos where plaster of Paris is used around the skull cap. Is that how you do the plaque mount or do you use some thing else around or under the skull cap to attach it to the plaque? Also, what do you like to cover the skull cap with? I was thinking buck skin or part of the cape? Do you have any pictures of some plaque mounts you've done? I've got a 148 inch set of antlers I want to have a taxidermist do a plaque mount on. I want to get somebody locally but I was wondering what your opinion on this is.

I use a small foam form as a base for the rack/cap. I smooth and clean up the set with some combination of bondo and apoxie sculpt. I cover my sets with some kind of imitation leather I get that has done decent stretch, comes in a few colors and looks handsome on the mount.

I actually don't like using buckskin as as covering at all. Maybe hair off I'd be ok with. The hair never seems to look right folding around the plaque base, is very bulky, and just looks like a fluff ball with antlers.

I'll get you a few pictures off my computer tomorrow so that you can get an idea of what you should expect.



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[Rodney]

Do you prefer the legs to be tubed or is it okay to cut through the hide as long as your sure to stay outside of the armpits?

What do you mean by tubed? I prefer the legs to be cut off at the knee. That gives me the freedom to trim up as I desire. Does that answer the question? Cheers!

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[Rodney]

What is the best animal to start learning how to do taxidermy on? How much would it cost to get a swan(sons first) mounted?

The best to start learning on is probably a squirrel. I say that because materials are cheap and plenty of little kits are available. You still will be managing many of the principles of large animals just on a small scale.

A swan will be all over $900 in my region. Could easily be more elsewhere.

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[Recurveaholic]

What do you mean by tubed? I prefer the legs to be cut off at the knee. That gives me the freedom to trim up as I desire. Does that answer the question? Cheers!

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I think he was asking if it is ok to cut the leg or would you rather have it pulled off without cutting it.

 

[Whiskerbiscuit]

I use a small foam form as a base for the rack/cap. I smooth and clean up the set with some combination of bondo and apoxie sculpt. I cover my sets with some kind of imitation leather I get that has done decent stretch, comes in a few colors and looks handsome on the mount.

I actually don't like using buckskin as as covering at all. Maybe hair off I'd be ok with. The hair never seems to look right folding around the plaque base, is very bulky, and just looks like a fluff ball with antlers.

I'll get you a few pictures off my computer tomorrow so that you can get an idea of what you should expect.



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Thanks a lot Rodney, I really appreciate your help !

 

[Rodney]

Thanks a lot Rodney, I really appreciate your help !

No problem sir. Here are the pictures. This is what I'd do if someone asked for a plaque mount and gave no further instruction.

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[Whiskerbiscuit]

Those look great Rodney, Thanks!

 

[ofor]

What method and materials do you recommend using to clean and whiten the skull when doing a euro mount?

 

[Rodney]

What method and materials do you recommend using to clean and whiten the skull when doing a euro mount?

Going to keep it brief since it gets covered a lot. The basics are:

1. Get most of meat off asap with a knife. Di not let the meat dry to the skull. Freezing is ok.
2. Simmer in dawn until the remaining meat is cooked through.
3. Pressure wash. Don't be afraid to get serious with it. Get 95% clean.
4. Bring a solution of water and 40 by volume hydrogen peroxide to a boil with the skull in it. Turn off burner and let simmer down.
5. Dunk in fresh water to clean/stabilize.
6. Clean up and seal skull with your choice of sealants.

Do not let your eyes leave that pot while you are boiling with a peroxide solution. You step away for 15 minutes and it turned in to 20 that turned into 30 and boom your skull is now mush.

Enjoy!

 

[Blacksmith]

I guess what I mean to ask is, what can I do as a hunter to give you what you need to make the magic happen? Tips on caping, hide care, etc.

I firmly believe every hunter should spend as much on a good scope as he can, and as much on a good taxidermist as he can.

Get the critter from field to the shop in a timely manner. I've had folks open their trunk to drop off a deer for a mount that smelled so bad, I wouldn't even unload it. Also if you break deer hair, which is hollow, it will look like that on your wall too. Drag it to the truck backwards and it will look like it in your home later.