Hello all: What a great site this is. I am in the learning/research stage getting ready to do my first ever taxidermy work. I only want to do this as a hobby for my own bucks, maybe one a year.
I've always been interested, but never realized I regular guy might be able to do this as a hobby. I'm very excited to work on some deer of mine, and don't mind botching them up as I learn.
However, I just received my "do-it-yourself" deer mount kit sold by Van-Dyke (via the Cabella's catalog). And after watching the Van Dyke Deer Mount Video, I'm quickly realizing I lack SEVERAL needed tools and equipment.
Can you guys comment on a few of the absolute essentials which I can't do without? (i.e: mounting stand, special knives, fleshing machine/knife, etc etc) Beings such a greenhorn, I had thought the kit actually gave me evertying I might need to started (stupid eh?). I just want to make the minimum purchases to get me by so I can complete my hobby mount. So far the kit was $80.
Since I'm still reading and learning, my plan is to collect some hide's and racks over this coming season and freeze them for later. If I cape out bucks and freeze them for later, should I flesh them right off the skull and freeze the skin only? Or can I cape it out and leave the head/skull on? I've been told I don't have to salt or prep them if I freeze them fresh. I'm planning it this way so I can learn through the season and then have several to practice on later in the winter.
Also, I have several cut racks of my own from past years (but no hides). Assuming I find relatively close sized bucks, can I use hides off fresh road kills and use my horns? I was thinking that if my old skull/rack was not cut properly, I could just use paper mache to build up the skull so it fits the form.
I'm glad this category is called "beginners" b/c as you can see I have allot of questions on my mind. I welcome all responses to my questions above and hope that it gives me some direction. As I read and learn more, hopefully I can ask some more dumb questions. Thanks.
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Let's get started. If you already have a deer mounting kit, I take it that it included a form.
If that is so, you might have trouble using it with just any deer hide. Measurements are critical when
matching a deer cape to the form. If you have the eye-nose and base of the skull measurements on the form, you might find
a cape advertised on the forums that you could buy relativly cheap.
As for tools, a sharp knife( I prefer a scalpel) is most important. Any good SHARP skinning knife should work. For fleshing,
you can use the knife, or a pair of scissors. As for a mounting stand, you can clamp a 2X4 to a work bench and screw your form to it.
You might think of how you are going to preserve the hide, as there are many possibilities. Also WASCO has a very good set of
instructional videos that are geared to mounting specimens with tools you have around the house. I have a complete set of those videos, and
have learned a lot from them. I willsell them if you are interested.
Email me if you have any specific questions.
Also I wouldn't suggest freezing the skull in the cape if you can help it, as the extended thawing time makes for a greater chance for bacteria to set in.
Good Luck and Welcome Aboard!
Once you have your form,cape ,eyes, ear liner or bondo. Just camp 2*4 TO A BENCH SCREW YOUR FORM TO THAT AND START. Tools are basic knife or scalpel A good apolstry needle heavy cape thread a modeling tool or a lip tucker push pins and some patients good luck and good mounting.
Hello Jim, You should do well with your new found hobby. You've got a good attitude and plenty of enthusiasm. So your off to a good start. Many of us started off just like your doing now, with household tools and in our garages, basements, and kitchens, the later not being the most popular if you've got a misses. As for your roadkill question. Bacteria is your worst enemy! If you know for "sure" that it is a FRESH roadkill and hasn't been laying there for days in any kind of heat, then yes, chances are good that it will survive the mounting process. If your unsure about it, don't bother. Be absolutely sure that it's legal in your state to posess a roadkill, as some states do not allow it. Check with your local game warden or wildlife office. If you have any questions anytime e-mail me, I'd be glad to help. Good luck! Marc
Just wanted to post a thanks to all of you. I'm excited to get started. For now, I think I'll purchase a Fleshing knife I saw in Van Dykes ($40), a scapel, and a skife knife for face fletching. I looked at the ear openers ($10) but they really look like nothing more than needle nose plyers? Can I get the same result with the plyers?
Thanks, and take care. -Jim
Hi Jim,
I would skip the fleshing knife and buy the ear openers instead.
you can flesh with the scapel(I prefer the # 24 blades)--that's my
favorite fleshing tool, and it is much more versatile---you'll be able to use it on other mammals in the future.
The ear openers work opposite of pliers, they open up when you squeeze the handle, instead of closing.
a good german type knife( either reverse curve or conventional) will be handy for skinning(or you could use a sharp pocket knife)
That's really all you need for a good job.
Good Luck with it.
Dave