I have just started doing taxidermy about 6 months ago. I have done a lot of upland game birds, and a few deer. But I want to do some full body mounts. I would like to know the best way to skin a coyote or fox for a full mount. and the best way to mount it on the form. Thanks Scott
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I'm pretty sure most would agree the best way to go is to skin by cutting from just up from the base of the tail to in between the shoulders. Some may cut a bit further but I'd rather cut off the head and neck and reatthach after inserting the head into the skin. Cut from the underside of the skin carefully to avoid cutting any fur. You will probably also have to make some relief cuts on the bottom of the legs also to simplify turning the feet. Take your time skinning the toes and turn to the nail. Tan and groom your fur then it's pretty easy to pull the skin up onto the form like a pair of pajamas. Hope this helps.
Scott,
I'm not disagreeing with Jim as his is the very easiest way to mount a long haired/furred critter, but it depends on how good a sew-er (I was careful there) you are. I'm the worst, so I cut where the stitching won't show. Sometimes that's a ventral cut and sometimes it's a case cut. That means, often times, I have to mutilate the forms so I can get it into the hide without extra incisions.
thanks for the info, that is very helpful. But I have one more question, what kind of cuts do you make for a squirrel running up a tree? do you skin it like a rug mount?
for running up a tree.
-Brandon