problems w squirrel mounting kit

[gitrdonerighttaxidermy]

K so I am new and never done a squirrel b4 so I get the kit from van dykes and didn't think about measurements lol big oops! But the kit only came in 1 size, so I am now on my 3rd squirrel for this mount and this one seemed big enough and all but they send the instant preserve dry powder stuff, once I put that on and tried to slide it on the form, its like the hide has shrunk up so small that I can't even get the feet on so idk what to do any suggestions appreciated thanks

[jamie11]

When i do mine I cut the squirrel from the anus to about the center of the chest where the front legs are. Then I take the form and cut the legs right off at the joint. Then you can either form your own legs out of clay to fit whatever you're mounting it to or you can slide the legs into the squirrel and re attach them back to the body by wire run through them. Then just sew up the body or if you picked a running up/down form you can take a staple gun and close it up. Get yourself a John David Ellzey mounting video. Keep at it and never give up

[gitrdonerighttaxidermy]

Thankyou Jamie11, I really appreciate that. I am new to squirrel mounts as well as this site, so I accidently posted this here then went and reposted in another section and got a really smart remark from one guy, which got me a lil hot but I am glad that I saw what you wrote, it helps a lot. I have done right many deer but that's it so I am very inexperianced w the squirrel situation. Lol thx a lot tho

[DPtaxidermy]

     I had the same problem with the kit.  With mine it was not the skin but the girth of the mannikin feet/legs that was to large.  I cut the mannikin feet off and tried the clay method only to find the shoulders  and hips were also to wide.     Im just going to have to order a smaller mannikin. 

[gitrdonerighttaxidermy]

DPtaxidermy yeah me too. I have files and filed on it and had it right but its like after I put the dry preserve on it, the cape just shrunk tremendously (if that's possible) I think its too dry and I need to rehydrate it but idk how w/o harming the cape

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[Jeremy Smith]

Get 1 of John David Ellzey's videos. It helped me alot.

[CrabCrazy]

you have to remember, most forms don't fit..so you alter it to fit

[DragunzGirl]

DPtaxidermy yeah me too. I have files and filed on it and had it right but its like after I put the dry preserve on it, the cape just shrunk tremendously (if that's possible) I think its too dry and I need to rehydrate it but idk how w/o harming the cape

Outdoor Hub mobile, the outdoor information engine

the DP does dry up the hide fast to :\.

     I had the same problem with the kit.  With mine it was not the skin but the girth of the mannikin feet/legs that was to large.  I cut the mannikin feet off and tried the clay method only to find the shoulders  and hips were also to wide.     Im just going to have to order a smaller mannikin. 

Every squirrel is different any way so most of the time you end up shaving the form or adding onto it.

K so I am new and never done a squirrel b4 so I get the kit from van dykes and didn't think about measurements lol big oops! But the kit only came in 1 size, so I am now on my 3rd squirrel for this mount and this one seemed big enough and all but they send the instant preserve dry powder stuff, once I put that on and tried to slide it on the form, its like the hide has shrunk up so small that I can't even get the feet on so idk what to do any suggestions appreciated thanks

I almost bought one of them kits one time, but i read it on what came with it and told my self if im going to just do more than 1 squirrel or animal any way y not go ahead and buy the wires, DP, some eyes *diff sizes*, clay, and etc instead of paying so much for a little kit that only came with a small amount of that stuff.... Plus every squirrel is different so im not even sure y they send a form with that kit cause there is a high chance it wont even fit in the first place... What you got to do is just when yo get your squirrel, take measurements of every thing, before and after skinning. Than get on van dykes, or dan chase or another site and find the one that is the closest to yours. You still will probably have to alter it. But while you wait for the form to come in, just put the skin in the freezer. When you get the form, and prefit to make sure it going to fit, i than put the DP on him and rub it in just so he does not dry up on me. Than i put it on the form, fix him up than sew him up and there you go.
PS: them kits dont send alot of clay any way and you might use more than you think who knows...

[George Roof]

Actually you don't need a lot of clay when you have the correct form.  Remember, this isn't model aircraft and "one size fits all" doesn't play out well.  Couple that with the primitive style forms being used in kits, you end up with disaster looking for a place to happen.  John David Ellzey sells a form that will fit your squirrel.  It will be anatomically correct and all that's required to order one is to know the length and the girth. There's a tutorial on here about mounting tubed skinned mammals.  It's how I mount squirrels and should help you as to how little clay is necessary and how much  the form can be altered if need be.  Good luck.

[gitrdonerighttaxidermy]

Thanks everyone. I altered as much as possible and end result......not terrible but there r a few things id rather do a little differently next time I guess u learn something new each time until u get it perfect.  I do know that I don't like the dp so I may try to wet tan it next time and see if I have a better outcome. Thanks again

[kirk33]

Why not make your own form? There are several ways to do it. I make my own by making a mother mold out of plaster of paris and cast with 2 part foam, they come out real nice like this but it does take some time. You could also wrap the body and carve the head, There is a great tutorial on this method here.

[Cole]

Why not make your own form? There are several ways to do it. I make my own by making a mother mold out of plaster of paris and cast with 2 part foam, they come out real nice like this but it does take some time. You could also wrap the body and carve the head, There is a great tutorial on this method here.

Nothing says anatomical disaster like someone with no experience making their own manikins.

[George Roof]

LMAO @ Cole. He's on a roll today. I can be sarcastic today and still be the good guy.

In the modern  world of taxidermy today I would never suggest moulding or carving a squirrel form to anyone. Squirrels are hard enough to pull off with a good manikin, much less with something homemade.

[Cole]

LMAO @ Cole. He's on a roll today. I can be sarcastic today and still be the good guy.

Just making friends George, I'm just making friends.