First Mount

Hi all,
I'm new to taxidermy and would like some help to get started.
I've never mounted anything as of yet,
and was wondering what to do as my first mount.
I've gone through a pile of reading from back posts.
I've ordered videos, and some basic tools.
I have access to most North American animals,
now i would like your best opinion on what to do first.

Thanks in advance
Dave

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it depends upon your interest

dave, i got involved in taxidermy a few years ago and my first mount was a whitetail deer which i mounted using sally dahmes whitetail a-z video. i have done several deer and fish since and am now mounting my second turkey. of the three the whitetail deer seem to be the easiest. my suggestiion is to start by mounting your own specimens that you take if you hunt or fish and also ask your friends for specimens. that way your not practicing on a customers mount and can keep the mount to use as a reference to look back on when you do future mounts. p.s. dont be suprised if you laugh at the work you do on your first mount after you have done several more as your work will hopefully steadily improve. good luck on whatever your try.

pedestal mount

I would suggest a pedestal mount of a small mammal..coon, bobcat,yote, or
something along them lines. That way all ya have to do is concentrate
on the setting the facial features....do a few of them and then get into
the full body mounts..Good luck to ya...

First mount

Dave,
The easiest specimen to mount is a ringed neck pheasant. They skin easily, the fat can be removed with a fingernail, and the feathers are plumed on most mature birds to cover minor miscues. The second animal I'd recommend is the squirrel. NOT BECAUSE IT'S EASY, but because it's so available. Screw up one and go out and get another. The skin is surprisingly tough and with a good manniken and a can of hair spray for the tail, you can make a very clean mount the first time out.

Try a Squirrel

I would reccommend you start with a squirrel. They are easy to skin and have very little fleshing to do on them, and it is also a cheap project that if you mess it up it will not hurt your wallet.