List of Tutorials by Subject

[Ken Edwards]

This Category contains member-submitted tutorials showing step-by-step procedures for taxidermy and the related arts.

These tutorials were originally submitted in the taxidermy discussion categories, where they soon became hard to find amidst the thousands of questions and discussions. They have been moved to this category in order to arrange them in an easy-to-navigate section where educational subjects can be quickly accessed.

If you notice a topic in another category that you think would be a good addition to the Tutorial category, please feel free to nominate it for the Tutorial Category by clicking on the "Report to Moderator" link in the lower right corner of the post and adding "Nomination for Tutorial Category" in the comments section.

If you wish to create a new tutorial, feel free to submit it here. If you use off-site hosted photos in your tutorial (such as photobucket.com) please be sure NOT to move, delete or rename the photos in your photobucket account, as this will also remove the photos from your tutorial. If photos are deleted from an existing tutorial, the tutorial will be removed as well.

General Taxidermy, Shop and Tools
Making Your Own Hide Paste by Michael Schlabach
Killing Ticks on a Cape by Jean Lavalee
Making Your Own Brass Modeling Tools by Glen Conley
Mini-Flesher Operation for Beginners by Todd Adams
Make Your Own Photo Studio Backdrop by Bobbi Meyer
Insulating a Box for Shipping Frozen Hides by Dennis D
My Deer Ear Turning Tool by Jon Becker
Removing a Bobcat From a Refrigerator That Went Out by Michael Schlabach
Let's See Everyone's Salt Tables by Bobbi Meyer

Deer Taxidermy
Deer Skinning -- Skinning Deer Hooves for Gunracks by Bob Nielsen
Deer Skinning -- Splitting the Lips, Nose and Eyes by Glen Conley
Deer V Incision and Antler Removal by Mike Bunker
Altering a Straight Gamehead Form to a Turn by Jim Brandenburg
Deer Mannikin Preparation for Beginners by Bobbi Meyer
Altering a Shoulder Form to a Wall Pedestal by Michael Shipman
Video Tutorial: Fleshing Deer for Beginners by Steve Hall (on Helping Hand Hangers site)
Bondo Ears by EddieB
Whitetail Deer Earliner Usage for Beginners by Nina Lukaszewicz
Mounting a Saskatchewan Whitetail by Amy Ritchie-Carter
Beginners Whitetail Shoulder Mounts (Part Two: Tweaking) by Bobbi Meyer
Deer Taxidermy - Basic Sculpting Eyelids from Clay by George Roof
Deer Taxidermy - Bondo Ears for Beginners by Steve Hall
Whitetail Deer Eye Setting and Eyelid Sculpting by Andrew Magninat
Video Tutorial: Sculpting Whitetail Deer Eyelids from Clay by Rick Carter (on WASCO site)
Deer Eye Ring Sculpting in Epoxy by Ron Anderson
How Much Hide Paste and Why by Michael Schlabach
Finishing Whitetail Shoulder Mounts for Beginners by Bobbi Meyer
Finishing Whitetail Eye with Oil Paints by Eddie B
Finishing a Deer Nose by by Paul Borkowski

Gamehead Taxidermy
Mounting an African Kudu by John Griffith
Reattaching a Elk Mannikin Cut in Half for Shipping by Michael Schlabach
Altering a Straight Gamehead Form to a Turn by Jim Brandenburg
Altering a Shoulder Form to a Wall Pedestal by Michael Shipman
Using Real Javelina or Boar Teeth with a Mount by Michael Schlabach

Antlers and Horns
Broken Antler Main Beam Repair by Harley Craig
How to Build an Antler Lamp by Harley Craig
Repairing Deer Antlers by Jim Brandenburg
Antler Broken Tine Repair and Staining by Darrell Hall
New Twist on Antler Repair by Boxie Kallina
Removing a Broken Core from Inside a Cow Horn by Michael Schlabach
Removing Horns from Pronghorn Antelope by Michael Schlabach
Mounting Shed Elk Antlers by Jay Parke
Mounting Shed Elk Antlers on a Plaque by Dakota Hills
Mounting Shed Caribou Antlers by Hoytman
Detachable Antlers by John Griffith
Longhorn Skull Mount A to Z by Michael Schlabach
Staining with Potassium Permanganate by Bobby Morris

Lifesize Mammal Taxidermy
Dorsal skinning a lifesize Bobcat and Beaver by Michael Schlabach
Skinning a Skunk by Richard A. Smart
Snarling Coyote Alterations by [name withheld]
Making a Small Mammal Head for a Wrapped or Carved Body by Jim Brandenburg
Making Squirrel Bodies Adjustable To Any Poses by Paul T
Mounting a Tube-Skinned Small Mammal by George Roof
My Method of Mounting Small Mammals by Anna Dominguez
Slipped Ear Repair on a Fox in 30 Minutes by Harley Craig

Beginner Mammal Tutorials by Terry Davis
Tanning Small Mammals with Krowtann or LutanF by OldTerryR
Making a Habitat Rock by OldTerryR
Wrapping a Mammal for Mounting by OldTerryR
Making a Wall Habitat by OldTerryR
Carcass Casting Small Mammals by OldTerryR
Modifying a Bobcat Mannikin by OldTerryR
Tear Duct on Deer by OldTerryR
Rebuilding Large Mammal Foot Pads by OldTerryR
Turning Small Mammal Ears by OldTerryR
Skinning Mammal Toes by OldTerryR
Wolf Habitat (Rock Base) by OldTerryR
Basic Length Modification of a Form by OldTerryR
Shoulder Mount Coyote by OldTerryR
Floor/mantle Bobcat Habitat by OldTerryR
Installing a Jawset in a Closed Mouth Form by OldTerryR
Wall/Mountain Fox Habitat by OldTerryR
Setting Deer Eyes by OldTerryR
Slots for Case Skinned Sitting Mammals by OldTerryR
Tanning With Krowtann Using Bench Grinder by OldTerryR

Bird Taxidermy
Bird Washing 101, the No Solvent Method by Nancy Crocker
Removing, Injecting and Installing Waterfowl Feet by Matt Smith
Carding a Flying Goose by Aaron
How to Close Waterfowl Heads without Sewing by LJ
Commercial Mannikins Thigh Modifications by Ron Anderson
Molding and Casting Artificial Bird Heads by Jeremy Keene
Repairing Trauma to Bird's Neck by Fudgy
Wood Duck Eyelid Photo Tutorial by Mike Vernelson
Tail Removal 101 by Mark11
Hot Glue, Bird Hip Attachment Tutorial by NDNHunter

"WingTips" - Bird Taxidermy Tips by Wingman (Eugene Streekstra)
WingTips #1: Making an Automated Rinser by Wingman
WingTips #2: Excelsior Wrapped Necks by Wingman
WingTips #3: Removing Marrow by Wingman
WingTips #4: Formeldehyde Injection by Wingman
WingTips #5: Grouse Airsacs by Wingman
WingTips #6: Reproduction Eyecombs by Wingman
WingTips #7: Presoaking Birds by Wingman
WingTips #8: Broken Bone Repair by Wingman
WingTips #9: Support Wire Concealment by Wingman
WingTips #10: Degreasing Wheel Cleanup by Wingman
WingTips #11: Flying Support Wire by Wingman
WingTips #12: Artificial Head Attachment by Wingman
WingTips #13: Detached Tails by Wingman
WingTips #14: Hip Attachment by Wingman
WingTips #15: Take time ... by Wingman
WingTips #16: Wing Carding by Wingman
WingTips #17: Damaged Skull "Quick Fix" by Wingman
WingTips #18: Artificial and Real Skull Attachment by Wingman
WingTips #19: Cheeks by Wingman
WingTips #20: Packing Birds for Shipping by Wingman
WingTips #21: "Over the Shoulder" Skinning by Wingman
WingTips #22: "Wrapping" Birds by Wingman
WingTips #23: Lamellae "Transfer" by Wingman
WingTips #24: Feather "Curling" by Wingman
WingTips #25: Sidepocket/Belly Anatomy by Wingman
WingTips #27: Straightening Pheasant Tails by Wingman
WingTips #28: Long Term Freezing/Storing Birds by Wingman
WingTips #29: Battling "Burnout" by Wingman
WingTips #30: Artificial Head "Bib" by Wingman
WingTips #31: Real Head Artificial "Method" by Wingman
WingTips #32: Artificial Head "Prep" by Wingman
WingTips #33: Double Wing Wire by Wingman
WingTips #34: Broken Leg Bone Repair by Wingman
WingTips #35: Real Bill, Artificial Head by Wingman
WingTips #36: Wrapped Body/Foam Body Surface Prep by Wingman
WingTips #37: Skinning Wings: Another Method by Wingman
WingTips #38: Potato Starch "Drying" by Wingman
WingTips #39: Wheeling Residue Fix by Wingman
WingTips #40: Gassing and Drying Bird Skins by Wingman
WingTips #41: Detachable Peacock Train/Tail by Wingman
WingTips #42: Sidepocket "Armpit" Skinning by Wingman

Fish Taxidermy
Mounting a Largemouth Bass by Rick Krane
Molding a Catfish Step-by-Step by Aaron Stehling
Mounting a Brown Trout with a Cast Head and Carved Body by Rick Krane
Casting your Own Foam Body Instead of Carving by Jim Tucker
Mounting and Painting a Brown Trout by Rick Krane
Finishing and Painting an Alaskan Steelhead Reproduction by Rick Krane
Painting a Grayling Dorsal Fin using Window Color for Masking by Oliver Fúckert
Video Tutorial: Molding and Casting a Fish by Layne Luna
Mounting and Painting a Black Crappie by Rick Krane
Pumpkinseed Sunfish Painting Tutorial by Joshua Knuth
Making an Adjustable Template for Carving Fish Forms by Joshua Knuth
Striped Bass Reproduction Paint Schedule by Rick Krane
Easy Painting a General Use Fish Eye by John Bloch
Painting an Atlantic Salmon Spawning Phase by Ole Shanke
Making Custom Eyes out of Clear Acrylic by Joshua Knuth
Painting a 20 lb. Rainbow using Liquid Scales by Jeff Lumsden
My Method of Mounting Blue Crabs w/ Paint Schedule by George Roof
Casting Fish from a Rubber Master by Lowell Shapley

Tanning and Skin Preparation
Small Mammal Tanning Step-by-Step with Rittel's E-Z Tan by Amy Richey
Tanning With Krowtann Using Bench Grinder by OldTerryR
JRTS Thoughts by DSalters
Pictures of Deer Skin Before and After Fleshing by Nina Lukaszewicz
Proper Hide Prep Work and Terminology by George Roof

Skulls and Skeletons
Removing Eyes for Skull Preparation by Joey Murphey
Attaching a Skull Mount to a Panel by Michael Schlabach
Small Maceration Step-by-Step by Wolfwoman
Small Mammal Skull Cleaning Step-by-Step by SilverSkin GameWorks
Repairing a Bear Skull with a Missing Zygomatic Arch by Jim Brandenburg
The 5 Hour European Mount Tutorial by Michael Schlabach
Completing a European Skull Start to Finish by DeadEyeDave2008

Molding and Casting
Making a Simple Rock Mold with Silicone Caulk by Joshua Knuth
Molding and Casting Artificial Bird Heads by Jeremy Keene

Habitat and Exhibit
Making a Simple Dirt Base by Pascal Campbell
Decayed Log with Viewing Windows for Zoo Exhibit by Mike Vernelson
Make Your Own Custom Tree Limb by George Roof
Artificial Tree with Root System for Zoo Exhibit by Mike Vernelson
Creating a Cornfield Habitat by John
Creating Dry, Cracked Dirt by Cole Cruickshank
Simple Water Splash Bases by Craig Wyrick
Rock Waterfall for Outdoor Pool by Mike Vernelson
Artificial Rock from Mix and Painting by Ole Shanke
Making a Simple Rock Mold with Silicone Caulk by Joshua Knuth
Building a Wooden Base by Born2Shoot
Making a Rock Base for Large Mounts by Lance Murphy
Wall Hanging Rock Base for Mt. Goat by Justin Pohl

Wildlife Artwork and Crafts
Giving Eyes Life, How I Draw Eyes by Gina
How to Make A Dream Catcher by Lisa Martin

Miscellaneous
How to do Bunny Ears with Shoelaces by Paul Thompson

Forum Operations
How to Add a Photo to a Post by Ken Edwards
How to Create and Upload Your Own Avatar by Ken Edwards
How to Reduce a Photo for the Web by Ken Edwards
How to Add a Photo to a Post Using Photobucket by Uncle Harley
Easy Picture Posting Using Tinypic.com by Rhasputin

Add Your Favorite Tutorial to This List
If you notice a topic in another category that you think would be a good addition to the Tutorial category, please feel free to nominate it for the Tutorial Category by clicking on the "Report to Moderator" link in the lower right corner of the post you wish to nominate and adding "Nomination for Tutorial Category" in the comments section.

Don't be afraid to blow your own horn. If you have submitted a tutorial in another category, please let us know so we can include it here. The taxidermy discussion categories will eventually be pruned of older posts, so moving the informational topics to this category will help to protect them for future reference.

I would like to extend a special thank you to Lisa Martin of Rifle Pines Taxidermy for her invaluable assistance in bringing this new category to fruition.

[Rich H.]

Good call Ken, putting these in there own catagory will make it easier for people to find them. 

[Lisa M]

Add Your Favorite Tutorial to This List
If you notice a topic in another category that you think would be a good addition to the Tutorial category, please feel free to nominate it for the Tutorial Category by clicking on the "Report to Moderator" link in the lover right corner of the post and adding "Nomination for Tutorial Category" in the comments section.

Don't be afraid to blow your own horn. If you have submitted a tutorial in another category, please let us know so we can include it here. The taxidermy discussion categories will eventually be pruned of older posts, so moving the informational topics to this category will help to protect them for future reference.

I would like to extend a special thank you to Lisa Martin of Rifle Pines Taxidermy for her invaluable assistance in bringing this new category to fruition.

Ken, it was really just a lot of tattle tale'ing on my part.  If I saw something, I just hollered about it.  Thank you for recognizing that effort.  It's the good people here that have really made the category necessary though.  It's just awesome to see folks willing to share what they know...it's a LONG ways from the years of secrecy. 

We can't toot our own horns/report our own posts.    (Although I admit I know some that have tried to toot their own horns...but never mind about that! )  If we try it tells us "You can't report your own post to the moderator, that doesn't make sense!"  Should we ask someone else to report it for us?  Maybe log out, come back to the thread as a Guest and then report it?  What would you prefer?

Ken/WASCO/everyone involved on y'alls end, thank you again, so very very much for doing this for us.  It's going to be a serious asset for so many people.  And it'll be a way for those who are "old timers" to share their knowledge for generations to come.  Thank you.  More than I can say...thank you. 

[Ken Edwards]

We can't toot our own horns/report our own posts.    (Although I admit I know some that have tried to toot their own horns...but never mind about that! )  If we try it tells us "You can't report your own post to the moderator, that doesn't make sense!"  Should we ask someone else to report it for us?  Maybe log out, come back to the thread as a Guest and then report it?  What would you prefer?

Lisa, I'm sorry you can't report your own post. Hopefully when the Forum software is upgraded to the next version, I will be able to change this feature. But for now, you can do one of four things to nominate you own post. Here they are in the preferred order:

1. Have a friend nominate your post with the "Report to Moderator" function.
2. Log out and report your post as a guest.
3. Send an email to me at ken@taxidermy.net (or just click on the envelope below my picture) with the URL of the post included in your email.
4. Send me a Personal Message (click on the speech balloon beneath my picture) with the URL of the post included in your message.

[Ken Edwards]

After tweaking the code, I was finally able to eliminate that annoying error message. I am pleased to announce that you now CAN report your own post to the moderator.

[Creepy-Crusty]

You da man Ken. What a great addition to the best site there is!

[sarahdj]

This is awesome- can't thank you enough for making this easier for us!

[Riverdale Taxidermy]

thanks, this page has already helped me find 2 tutuorials that I need.

[mysebringjx]

Just curious, do you have a link for mounting a full body raccoon?

And thats. this section of links is almost invaluable!!!

[Lisa M]

mysebring, if you go to the Terry Davis Learning Center, http://tdavistaxidermy.com/learningcenter.html, you can piece together how to get a raccoon done.  You also might look into buying a subscription to Breakthrough magazine.  A link to Breakthrough is in the upper right corner of any taxinet page under the Quick Links tab.  In the latest issue they had step by step instructions for how to do a gray fox.  Raccoons aren't much different in techniques.  Good luck and have fun. 

[mysebringjx]

Thank you very much lisa, I chose a coon to be my first as its not to small or way to big for a NooB 

[hambone]

K en I just found out about the tutorial section and I think it is great I also can't believe Wing Tips aren't in here.

[elkevo]

Thanks Ken; that was easy to find and there are so many good tutorials for us beginner's. thanks again everyone.



Steve

[murph]

Hi All,
          Is there anyone who can post a tutorial with pics on repairing and sewing up of damaged capes from big bullet holes? I'v got a few in and have always got them sewn up but some have looked much better than others. Just thought this might be helpful to some of the novices.

Thanks ...Lance

[murph]

Hi all....
          In addition to my first post in this room... maybe someone could post a tutorial on the sewing of a patch of skin and hair on a deer cape for a repair... Ths is part of the taxidermy trade also.. how well you can handle a repair right?