Bobcat Eyes Drying

[CChampion]

First let me say that I am not a Taxidermist for pay, I only do it for myself as a hobby.  I have only done waterfowl but got gifted a bobcat by a buddy of mine because I wanted to do a rug.  Well everything went well with fleshing, tanning and prepping.  I mounted the cat and all was well with the eye set for about 2 days and now we are on day 3 and the top of the eye lids have lifted a little giving the cat that BUG EYED look.  Can I rehydrate with wet towels and readjust?  If so, what can I do to assure that it doesn't do it again?  Is there something that I could have done from the start that would have eliminated this from happening so next time I can correct it.  Thanks for any suggestions and advice, I know there is a wealth of knowledge on here and sometimes people are willing to give pointers.  If you don't want it printed all over the web I would appreciated a PM.......

thanks

clark

[lookn4awhitetail]

Sounds like you didnt thin the skin correctly, nor split the lids all the way out.  Thin skin, Critter clay and slow drying you should have no movment.

[CChampion]

I haven't shaped the rug yet, just finished oiling and stretching.  I stll have some painting to do and putting some clay into the nail pads.  I know there are probably things wrong with the cat but like I said it's the 1st.  The eyes are really in my opinion a little to round and weren't like that right after setting the skin into the clay.  But as this cat has started to dry, it has kind of rounded up the lids and lifted a little.....I feel like I thinned OK and left just about 1/4 inch inside lid skin to tuck but maybe I did something else wrong.  I have let it dry in my garage that stays out of the sunlight to prevent fast drying and the temp the past week here in AL have been pretty low so the garage has stayed about 50-60 degrees.  I appreciate the help and input.
Don't go to hard on me with the pics....hahaaah
Thanks


Day 2
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg320/CChampion_2008/Bobcat/ClarksBobcat14.jpg

Day 3
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg320/CChampion_2008/Bobcat/IMG_4486.jpg

[Jim B]

Clark,when you mount something it is important to come back and tune it occasionally until it is completely dry.Any skin can pull away from it's original position.Some tans have more shrink and pull than others.

When I mount an animal,I come back the following morning and tune all the details the best I can.I follow that up again in the evening.After that,I usually tune them once every morning untill the skin just won't move anymore.

You can rehydrate and tune it easily.They will rehydrate much quicker if you get water under the skin rather than from the outside.You can just pry the skin away from the eye and get water inside using a wet paper towel,Q Tip or syringe.It sound drastic but it is really easy.Just re-set the eyes and continually tune,as I said before-till they don't move.

[CChampion]

Thanks Jim.....I have started to rehydrate....I appreciate your input.