Hello. I am getting ready to mount an open mouth raccoon on a rug shell. I am using a hide that was professionally tanned. Should I only rehydrate the head since this is the only part being mounted? I assume this is the case. I am sure that the form size is right, but i am also concerned about how hard i should stretch the hide to make it fit the form again. I have mounted an open mouth coon before, but not with a professionally tanned hide. Your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
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You may need to thin the leather some what around the head area. relax it and once you have it fully relaxed test fit it. If the hide is still a little stiff, using baking soda 2 tsp to 8 OZ water fsponge this on and relax it some more. After the head has dried, you can just sponge water on the hide to relax it for stretching. Do so on a board marked off in one inch squares so you can pull it to be even. then cut small darts out and sew them well. this will smooth the lumps out.