Advise for Starting Taxidermy

[zebmeyer]

Hello all Im just starting into taxidermy, Ive been reading these boards for a month or so and Im extremly excited.  First off I was thinking of getting started on squirells.  They are easily attainable and relativly cheap to mount for what Ive seen.  I got about 7 skins as of right now, got a couple bass and 9 point also that I got this year.   I can get my hands on some racoon skin easily to.  Which would be the best.  Ive gotten several books on the subject and Im ready to start my new hobby.  Would the squirells be the best way to go?  Next can I skin them and just freeze them without fleshing and DP untill I can get around to it?  Same with deer cape?

[Keyda81]

Squirrels are a bit hard to start off with because they are so small.  You can skin them and freeze them until you are ready with both.  My doe was in the freezer for a month, and was just fine.  I would suggest actually tanning the deer hide.  DP is fine for smaller stuff.  The first and only thing I've mounted so far was my doe.  Pic is in my avatar.  Good luck!

[CrabCrazy]

squirrels ain't that hard to do...skin is pretty tough and easy to flesh....dive in and get your hands dirty,,, skin and flesh as much as you can...the more you do the better you will get at it....yes you can freeze, until you can get to it

[jockamoe]

Of the 3 choices I would say the Deer is the easiest in many ways. But if you need to ask you should probably save it for last and make it your best attempt.
They all have there own special issues to deal with but nothing that make them harder than the other. Perhaps more prep work, smaller details things like that.
Collect the information you need to complete each of them and make an educated decision.

[zebmeyer]

Thank you for the great info.  Just built a wire wheel flesher today, till my hand flesher arrives.  Just cant do face with it is my understanding need to take time and use scaple for that.

[jockamoe]

I still use a scalpel allot but I really like my skive knife for the face. Took a little getting used to but much better than a scalpel for speed and confidence.
It's like peeling with a potato knife. I would recommend to anyone.

[J.W.]

Zeb, I don't know if your question has been answered fully, but each species requires some basic understanding of the skinning or preperation sequences.
Squirrels are easily skinned until you get to the head and feet. The head requires precise skinning around the eyes,ears and mouth. this takes a scalpel or xacto
type knife. Then the feet require the same small movements to remove the foot pad to the nails. Because it's the smallest of the species you have, It will be
easier to handle, flip over, and do the fine detail work. this will also teach your  eyes to work with your fingertips during detail work. The other suggestions
are excellent too. Pick one, work on it and ask a Taxidermist in your area to grade or help you.   KEEP TRYING.
   

[Boundary Waters]

I would start with the squirrels, like a grey or fox squirrels, reds are too small.  Easy to obtain, easy to flesh and replace and one average size form should do the trick, mess up one squirrel, just get another. Coons, other small game deer heads, then you need to stat contending with degreasing etc... stick to the squirells till you get your feet wet!