beginner white tail question. (Tanning related)

[Jknuth]

Ok I have been doing fish and reptiles for years. but at some point in the near future I want to try some mammals. And since I am thinking about shooting Bambi next year (First Deer Hunt  ) I may want to have my First mounted.
I am thinking about buying a few shoulder capes to start with.
I am curious what the general costs (Materials) of doing a shoulder mount is?
also I have a few other questions

1. should I tan it myself or send it out to be tanned?
2. What does it cost ballpark to have a whitetail tanned?
3. I dont have any special equipment (Flesher) can I shave the hide by hand?

I am more interested in the mounting process then the Hide preparation (Tanning, Thinning,...) but I think a good understanding of these things will help me do the mounting better.

Thanks All

~Josh (a fishhead) 

[Todd B]

Hey Josh,
I also prefer fish taxidermy.  But I do everything.  As far as starting out get a tanned skin.  A tannery will charge about $35.00 to $40.00 to tan a deer cape.  As far as the shaving you will not need one with a tanned skin from a tannery, it will already be shaved thin.  You will have to do a little detail fleshing on the face.  You can use a scalpel or razor blade for this.  I use a skife knife.  Hope this helps.

Todd B

[Jknuth]

Ok thats what I am thinking.
I have limited space in my shop and the space I have is set for fish work, Molding Casting painting....
I dont really want to deal with Tanning or fleshing and thinning at the moment.

that price is not bad for a tanned skin if I dont have to do all that work.

Now that said. Is there a Brand of forms that people prefer? I know so little about the Deer world and I feel funny even asking. LOL
I fully expect my first deer to be a Doe and thats great with me. I would love a doe mount on the wall almost more then a buck.

[ccook63]

Todd is right if you get a tanned hide the thinning is already done for you accept around the eyes and nose. I think it is a good idea to start out that way. Once you get a couple under your belt then you can try tanning your self but that is a whole other issue. Good luck and hope you shoot a big one.

[ccook63]

If you go on line and get a taxidermy supply catalog or two from say WASCO, McKenzie, research manikins etc. you find many different poses from many different sculpters but at least that will give you a better understanding of the products and the prices to

[Tacker]

Where are tanned hides available?  I am also getting ready to do my first whitetail, and that  would be VERY helpful.

[ccook63]

Tacker put a post in the wanted section and you will probably get more replies than you want. Yuo can also look in the for sale section.

[shaneb]

Hey Jknuth, heres some answers to youre questions. Materials for deer are approx, $35 for a mannikin, $10 for eyes, $5 for ear liners. $10 for shipping. So about $60 in materials. Send youre hides out to be tanned, they usually run $35-$40  for tanning. And no flesher is need , I do many deer heads a year with nothing more than a scalpel.

[Ihntdeer]

If you use micro-tan in Illinois for your tanning, they turn everything for you.  The cost is a little bit more. But it saves the hassle. 
Everyone has their favorite forms, there is a line that is sculpted from local wisconsin taxidermist that works great.

[millardtaxi]

use the wjldlife gallery in michigan you will not be sorry also bnb will skin flesh and salt for 40 extra , they are connected to the tannery and your stuff goes from them straight to the tannery hands down the best