What should I start with?

[deer-slayer]

I am a 16 year old that is an avid hunter and loves to hunt anything from squirrel to deer and I don't know what animal, bird, or large mammal would be a good starting mount...keep in mind I am 16 and don't have a lot of money for stuff needed to mount and I would like to have a good easy mount to start with....if you could just give me ideas and tips that would be great...and I live in the north east so that should give you an idea of what I have available to me animal wise. Thanks!

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[M Rosenbeck]

I started with a coyote and a deer skin....just to see if I could tan it. Got a nice 10pt buck, made a deal with the taxidermist, he shows me how to do it, discounts my deer, and i get to use all his stuff.....could be worth looking into little hands on training....

Tried to start with something small, like a squirrel, but gosh darn it, couldnt get on shot yet. Husband went out and got the yote, so figured, why not, lol. but since you are young and not alot of money, I would start off with a rabbit, mink, or squirrel. those you can do "the old way" with wire and stuffing and a little borax. Your call. I dont have alot of money to start with, BUT since i work at a butcher shop, and during deer season, get alot of capes in, I can always mount one or those down the road.

[deer-slayer]

Cool...thanks I will use this information and start with something small...do you know if a coyote cape needs tanned or just preserved , and would that be a good beginer mount...the only reason I say that is that I have one allready...squirrels are also very available to me... Which one first...

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[GregC424]

i would probably get a DVD and start with squirrels if they are plentiful for you, this way you would get good practice skinning and you could use dry preserve to mount Use reference pictures.

[msestak]

get the breakthrough taxidermy manuals at www.taxidermy.com, it will help a great deal.

[deer-slayer]

Wow all this information is great I will use this a lot...thanks everyone

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[M Rosenbeck]

I personally tanned mine. I do know of people just using DP....but i figured, with my first few attempts, got to get my feet wet sometime

[deer-slayer]

I think i am going to start with a mink for my first animal...any advice on that?

[Dave Byrd]

I started with a hamster...wouldn't recommend it though.  Mink would be good but if squirrels are abundant in your area,  I would start there.  Years ago I purchased a squirrel kit and VHS tape from WASCO after the poor hamster.  I was pretty amazed at the results I got.  It was not perfect by any means but just the right amount of inspiration I needed to continue on.  Unfortunately I only mounted a few more things and 16 years later have just recently taken taxidermy up again.  Anyway, BEST OF LUCK! 

[deer-slayer]

I changed my mind...I will be starting with a squirrel because i got a nice fat one on friday. now i just need a life size form. don't have the money yet though so in the freezer the skin goes,for now.

[deer-slayer]

I was wondering if you guys know of anywhere else to get a manniken other than McKenzies, WASCO, and vandykes

[Dave Byrd]

Check out Jim Allred Taxidermy Supply.   www.jimallred.com

[Keyda81]

You could always make your own form.  I believe there is a tutorial on this forum somewhere.  Do I search for wrapped bodies, and see what you come up with.

[Bucknut]

You are getting all of this great info on a McKenzie website. Maybe you should consider buying from them. A squirrel form is not that expensive.

Bruce

[CrabCrazy]

usually a squirrel, easy to skin ....avoid animals with a lot of fat first...mink,weasel is a good choice