How to attach hide to real skull

[rasorbackq]

 Last year before I found this great place I got back into taxidermy and I mounted a 5.5 lb bobcat . I used the real skull  but after wards the lip dried away from the mouth exposing a very unsightly look . So 2 days ago I re hydrated the mouth nose area  to try to close again.  I tried krazy glue gel stuff but that did not hold I assume because the hide was wet.  I cant seem to get the pins in because it is bone I thought about hide paste but I still have no way to hold the hide til it drys. Someone must have a plan.

[bullwhacker]

Throw it out and learn your lessons BEFORE you stuff things

[rasorbackq]

Hey bullwacker ...... post a bobcat coon or squirrel mount of yours and let see how good you are at taxidermy.  Mouth piece

[MattHCT]

LMAO. 

[KevinH]

Throw it out and learn your lessons BEFORE you stuff things

I would have to agree

[dipper]

Throw it out and learn your lessons BEFORE you stuff things

That's where my first mount went, as well.  I still think it was a pretty good plan. 

[bullwhacker]

hmmmmmmm......................






I'll try to fit a squirrel in after I finish all this Alaskan stuff......

[bullwhacker]

BTW...if you really want to try to salvage whatever it is you have going on there. Try to build the lip detail under your skin with epoxy sculpt, then tuck your lips into that. Then reshape from the outside until it looks like you want it to. When it dries it should hold it there......

[Wolfwoman]

Bullwhacker, your photos/website doesn't work.

[rasorbackq]

Bullwhacker ....... Cant really see your pics  but at least the idea of  building the lip line with sculpt then tucking may just work.  Was that all that hard to assist a new guy. You were there once. Thanks.

[bullwhacker]

sorry about the pics. All of my old ones are in a Kodak site. Now they wont post to here, so I have to try to move them to photobucket. Sometimes the size is all screwed up after that.
ea
I am just saying, get a decent plan before you attempt something. Trying to fix things after the fact is often quite frustrating. Find a good book or video before you make the investment in all the time and you will be rewarded for the extra work in a better end product with quality results.

I learned by working out an apprenticeship with one of the best taxidermist I know. I have also had the opportunity to work with some museum taxidermist in the past as well. All experience is quite valuable.

[Sawtooth Taxidermy, Todd]

Is this going to turn into another whining new guy post?!  rasorbackq....Don't get upset about anything on here when it comes to comments. everyone replies differently. I get what bullwhacker was saying.  Do some research before you jump in. A little knowledge goes along way. We see it here a lot where someone mounts up a critter, without doing their homework first, then gets all butt hurt when someone calls it a POS or tells the truth. Sometimes first projects belong in the trash. Bullwhackers idea to use the epoxy sculpt to REBUILD the muscle THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE ANYWAYS THE FIRST TIME is a good one. You can also try some commercial hide paste and pin the hide to the epoxy til it tacks up and grabs.  Don't worry about peoples comments. Believe me....they're going to get worse. It is fun though.. Enjoy

[KAMoHunter]

as much as i dont see eye to eye with george he is right about one thing...."if the truth hurts, then by all means avoid it" ( i made sure to give you the credit george). a good criticism better not burn your butt. if it does your gonna fail and always be a half assed taxidermists. however there are at times some comments on here that are made to be mean and degrading. those are uncalled for. for example telling someone that a mount looks like it has downs syndrome. i saw that once. that is not constructive. telling someone to pitch it and do their homework the next time... that is constructive.

[rasorbackq]

You guys must have rare animals coming out of the  woodwork to be able to just through out mounts that don't like right. This was a bobcat 5.5 lb kitty with winter coat I caught it in Jan (Canada).  This cat was the one that renewed my taxidermy dreams from 20 years ago. Ya I may never meet your levels  but who knows maybe I will surpass some.

 What I have found is most people really have no idea what an animal really looks like. To the trained eye there will be issues but not to the hunter (most cases).  With all the viewing and research I do on here everyday I am starting to see mounts with issues before I read the reviews

 There are lot of people  that do repetitive deer on here.  After 100 deer you should be good at it. Through in a cat or a coon as see how the mounts looks. I think cats coons and dogs are the hardest to mount to look alive. I may be wrong and will probably be told but I think deer are one of the easiest to mount and get somewhat lifelike.

My original question  did not require an answer of carcasism but we are passed that. Notice how it was placed in the Beginner area and not the Professional area.

 No matter what is typed here I will continue to view and ask question. But I don't think I will post mounts for all to tear into.  As I will not tear into yours. If I can assit with a discussion I will if not I won't just to get the #s higher.
 

[Bobbi Meyer]

rasorbackq, while I will agree with your comments about felines and canines being hard to do, and most hunters not having a clue as to good taxidermy work, I do take offense to the attitude that you came in here with.
Most of these people are very knowledgable and produce excellent work.
That said, you will attract more flies with honey than vinegar, so just for future reference, check the attitude at the door, or you like many others on here who have come and gone, will find that your "sources of information and help" will dry up like an old well.
smack...smack..
now that we have that out of the way......
Good luck and keep reading...tons of good info in here!!!!

oh and wa had some pics on here a LOOONNNGG time ago of one of his mounts that he did...he used the real skull and was showing all the claywork that went into it....might see if you can dig it up!