Good taxidermy is a beautiful thing....
#22
RE: Good taxidermy is a beautiful thing....
Most taxidermists and tanneries do not break a hide if it is used for taxidermy purposes; however, they do shave it thin. Breaking the hide works the fibers open so it always stays soft (like for making clothing, etc). However, you do not want your hide to have too much shrinkage. One of the major problems due to shrinkage is drumming of the ears. That is where the hide lifts off of the ear liners and can be "tapped" like a drum.
It would still be interesting to know what tanning method he uses ... dry preservatives or a wet tan. Just like taxidermists, not all commercial tanneries use the same methods.
I do agree with the Pledge to keep dust off of mounts. Personally, I spray a little bit into a clean cloth and wipe down the mount with it.
It would still be interesting to know what tanning method he uses ... dry preservatives or a wet tan. Just like taxidermists, not all commercial tanneries use the same methods.
I do agree with the Pledge to keep dust off of mounts. Personally, I spray a little bit into a clean cloth and wipe down the mount with it.
#23
RE: Good taxidermy is a beautiful thing....
One more thing, what do you guys think of the "details" on that buck?
If you get a chance, lookup some photos of real deer and compare them to yours. Close-up photos. That's the true test ... how much it looks like a real deer.
By the way, I don't want to take anything away from the nice trophy you harvested. He's a dandy and I would be proud also!
#24
RE: Good taxidermy is a beautiful thing....
I think it is a nice looking mount. It is true that the test of time tells the story. I have a mount from 97 and one from 98 done the same taxidermist. They already have cracks around the eyes and one is showing shrinkage around the mouth. Needless to say I switched taxidermist last year after first noticing the problems. I am not so sure if price is always indicative of quality. I suppose the best way is to look at mounts the guy did in the past and see how they are holding out. If he has one that is over twenty years old and still looking great, than you should be ok.........dabow
#25
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 16
RE: Good taxidermy is a beautiful thing....
ORIGINAL: tbonecpa
I was also surprised to hear that RATDAWG isn't a fan of the Rinehart form because of lack of realism. Is it possible that WI and IL bucks are that different? I realize the neck looks really big on my buck but that is really what he looked like.
There are some Differences wherever you go in whitetails. But most deer in Illinois came from Wisconsin and a few from Canada.
I am sure your deer was that big. But there are tricks to make a deers neck bigger than it was.
One more thing, what do you guys think of the "details" on that buck?
I was also surprised to hear that RATDAWG isn't a fan of the Rinehart form because of lack of realism. Is it possible that WI and IL bucks are that different? I realize the neck looks really big on my buck but that is really what he looked like.
There are some Differences wherever you go in whitetails. But most deer in Illinois came from Wisconsin and a few from Canada.
I am sure your deer was that big. But there are tricks to make a deers neck bigger than it was.
One more thing, what do you guys think of the "details" on that buck?
ps you might be able to access some of the comapies by websites. I never have tried so i am not sure but look up some of them.
#26
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 187
RE: Good taxidermy is a beautiful thing....
RATDAWG,
I noticed the upturn on the left side of the jaw too. The other side of the jaw is more natural. I don't look for absolute perfection because as you know every deer is diifferent and therefore no form will fit all deer perfectly. Being in the industry you know that the eyes, nose, and ears take a lot of attention to get right. I attribute my bucks "smile" to the fact that he had a "Roman" nose and that made the his face a little different than the form. No big deal to me.
I helped a friend of mine mount one of my bucks and got to see the whole process. He showed me a lot of little tips and what to look for in a mount. I give you guys so much credit for your skills and abilities. Most people have no idea how much time and technique it takes to do a really nice mount. If they did they would never ever try it themselves or complain about a fair price for a good mount.
When I talked to my taxidermist about tanning he said something about "wet" tanning and formic acid. Not sure what that means but hope it is "right" way because I don't know how I would find a cape big enough to redo the mount some day.
I hear what you are saying about soliciting criticism of a mount. A friend asked me about his mounts just last weekend and I about had to bite through my tounge. They were terrible. Bad ears, bad eyes, terrible form, etc. They looked like the kind you see in backwoods dive bars that are 30 years old but he had just picked them up days prior. All I said was, "nice racks". At least that was the truth.
I noticed the upturn on the left side of the jaw too. The other side of the jaw is more natural. I don't look for absolute perfection because as you know every deer is diifferent and therefore no form will fit all deer perfectly. Being in the industry you know that the eyes, nose, and ears take a lot of attention to get right. I attribute my bucks "smile" to the fact that he had a "Roman" nose and that made the his face a little different than the form. No big deal to me.
I helped a friend of mine mount one of my bucks and got to see the whole process. He showed me a lot of little tips and what to look for in a mount. I give you guys so much credit for your skills and abilities. Most people have no idea how much time and technique it takes to do a really nice mount. If they did they would never ever try it themselves or complain about a fair price for a good mount.
When I talked to my taxidermist about tanning he said something about "wet" tanning and formic acid. Not sure what that means but hope it is "right" way because I don't know how I would find a cape big enough to redo the mount some day.
I hear what you are saying about soliciting criticism of a mount. A friend asked me about his mounts just last weekend and I about had to bite through my tounge. They were terrible. Bad ears, bad eyes, terrible form, etc. They looked like the kind you see in backwoods dive bars that are 30 years old but he had just picked them up days prior. All I said was, "nice racks". At least that was the truth.