Bear Rug Question
 

Just picked up my bear rug from taxidermist and got it laid out on a bed at home. While laying it out I noticed that one ear “creaks” a little. It does not appear to be loose, but definitely makes a slight creaking noise when touched. Just curious if that’s normal for a form or if I need to be concerned about it being cracked inside. Thanks for your help

We have a taxidermist here so I suspect he will answer you.

Good deal. Thanks!

Sounds like it isn't attached to the head form very well. If you can move it back and forth pretty easy, that's likely the case. If so, I would drive small finishing nails through the fur, close to the ear, and all around it and bury them. That will fix it if it's moving that is causing the creaking. It should have clay around the ear butt to rebuild the muscle, which would have kept this from happening, but, you never know what other taxidermists do.

Thanks for the replies. If anyone else has any ideas about what it may be, if it’s normal, and how (if) to fix it I appreciate it.

The man who answered you is a taxidermist and I have seen his work that he posts periodically and he is a very good taxidermist I would take his advice if I were you.

Thanks for the info guys!

And where exactly around the ear would you place the pins?

Take it back to the taxidermist that did the work and have it corrected. You just picked it up, it should be right.

Also, Excalibur is an EXCELLENT taxidermist. I have no doubt his advice is the correct way to fix it. But you shouldn't have to fix anything on a brand new piece

- jake

If my reply to excalibur43 sounded like a knock at his expertise that wasn’t my intention at all. I appreciate all the advice 👍🏼

Thank you guys for the vote of confidence! LOL I would definitely take it back if you just picked it up, as these fellas have said. I guarantee my work, that if anything happens that's my fault, I will fix it free of charge for the life of the mount. If you don't go that route, I would hold the ear in place to match the other side ( or have someone hold it in place) and place the small finish nails maybe 2 in the front and 2 in the back of the ear as close to the ear as possible. It could be that the taxidermist didn't use ear liners, but used bondo instead. That makes it a little more difficult to fix. Either way the nails or brads whichever you choose to use, should fix it provided that if the taxidermist went the bondo route, that he/she made a good base for the ear. If you have anymore questions, feel free to text me if you like. www.robs-taxidermy.com