Hair falling out

[maxman]

I've had 3 deer shoulder mounts returned in the last two weeks. The funny thing is, they were mounted in 2003. The one that came back today had some type of worm in the hair next to the hide. It kind of looked like a maggot. They were dead. Hair loss is mostly around the ears. Bare all the way around the ears. The hides were commercially tanned by a tanner that is recommended on this forum. Thoughts?
Thanks

[Tom King]

Is it the same owner?

[maxman]

3 different customers

[Hudson]

Sounds like beetles, hides not tanned completely, ear butts not completely fleshed or mounts not treated to repel those nasty bugs. Hunters have a obligation to maintain proper conditioning and protecting their mounts, unless of course they were not tanned then it`s on you.

[maxman]

The hides capes were commercially tanned. It doesn't look like beetles. The dead larvae were white. All three guys have other mounts in the same room. But, mounted in different years.

[Glen Conley]

Maxman, it sounds like wool/clothes moth infestation to me.  Google for more info.

Have these customers check other items in their houses.  Any wool, socks, blankets, sweaters, even if they are stored in drawers or closets.  If they pull any of these out and they are full of holes, there ya go.

[cyclone]

How did you bug proof them?

[maxman]

I didn't bug proof them. If it's moths, why didn't they bother the other mounts. All the problem mounts are from 2003. I've been a full time taxidermist for almost 20 years. Never had this happen before.

[Tom King]

If they were sent off in the same batch or around the same time...Maybe there was a problem at the tannery.....

[Steve Rotramel (Witchbane)]

Are there horned animals in the same trophy room??

[maxman]

No horned animals in the trophy rooms. I has to be a tanning problem. Got another one back today. Same white maggot type worms next to the hide. Hair just falls out.