I am a trapper and would like to learn the proper way to skin for taxidermy mounts. I put up my fur by case skinning, fleshing and proper drying of the furs, But realize that taxidermist require the full animal to be skinned including the feet and etc. Is there any good books that explain the different ways to skin for taxidermists or is just best to practice on low quality animals, learning as I go. What is the way you like to have the animals skinned? Cased? Dorsal? Some other way? Then after skinning and fleshing is it just best to freeze them, salt them or dry them? I have sold a mink on this site frozen whole but believe that skinned furs would sell better as it would greatly reduce the shipping costs. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.
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I prefer to buy everything cased unless the person skinning really knows what they are doing. You can do as you are now, only, leave the feet attached. Skin down to the ankle or as far as you can and leave the rest in the fur. Also, detach the head at the back of the skull and leave it in also. When you freeze, fold the skin' don't roll it up. Don't salt unless it is fleshed completly, including the feet and head, and don't freeze if it is salted.
I agree with Mark. You might consider finding a local
taxidermist and agree to work part time as a skinner
to get the exact training you need. I started out
working for a taxidermist for free to learn the trade
and it really paid off. Thanks for the effort and
desire to do it right. It sure makes our jobs easier.
Good Luck.
I'm sure skinning is covered in the Breakthrough mammal book.
it is available from WASCO.
Good luck
Dave