I am new at taxidermy, and I salt my hides overnight before fleshing them. I find my knife grabs better this way. It still takes me an hour and a half to flesh a deer cape, turn the ears, split the lips, and prepare the eyes. I have probable done 15 deer. Am I super slow? I am sure I've gotten faster than when I first started. How fast does it take most taxidermist who have done this a lot?
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Bob,
Your not that slow because it took me about 5 hours to do my first raccoon.
It seems to me that it would be a dripping wet mess trying to flesh a cape out with salt on it.But whatever works.After you do about 40 or 50 you will get a rythum going.It takes me about 45 minutes per cape.
Bob: you are not slow, Besides It is more important to do it right than fast. I do a deer cape in about 20 to 30 minutes, But I have been doing it for over 30 years and have every posible gadgit to assist me in the task. Be patient and you will find that speed will come by itsself. By the way the same goes for sewing.
Tenbears - give us some insight on the gadgits that you use to
speed up the fleshing process as it relates to turning eyes,ears,lips
and the nose I need to cut my time in this area also but will not
rush or sacrifice end quality.
Thanks
John