need some ideas please.

[taxidermygirl84]

I live in the south and freeze drying is not suggested for large animals due to the heat, humidity, and bugs. I have a pit bull dog someone is wanting mounted and i need some ideas on how to make a form for him. please help. i dont want to let these people down.

[M.Magis]

If you don’t know how, and have no experience, I would highly suggest not taking the job. Someone’s pet is not the way to learn. A form would need to be hand carved.

[taxidermygirl84]

its not that i dont have the experience. I have done chows, poodles, and a ****er spanial.
the problem is a pit bull has a very odd shaped body so i can not alter a form to make it work. I have seen bits and peices of some people who take the skinned body and maybe paper mache it? thats the direction im looking for. i just am not sure how to do it or if maybe there is a better way. but thank you for the response.

[TimberlandTaxidermy]

I'm with Magis. If you don't already know how, it's probably not a job you should take. I would carve the body, but you could also carcass cast it.

[taxidermygirl84]

i dont understand why yall keep saying that. how do you learn anything new if you turn down everything you have never done before?
I have mounted many domestic dogs, and i know most people carve their forms. I want to know how to body cast it? what is that and how do you go about doing it? thanks for responding

[M.Magis]

Jan Van Hoesen has a carcass casting video you can get from WASCO. Breakthrough has also had many articles over the years about carcass casting. You can look at their online index for articles you would like, and you can buy just the articles I believe.

[taxidermygirl84]

thank you for your reply. it was helpful.