MY FATHER=IN-LAW BOUGHT A LIFESIZE CAPE FROM A GOOD CLIENT, AND I AM WONDERING 2 THINGS RIGHT NOW SHOULD I DO A LAYING DOWN FOR MY FIRST HE REALLY WANTS STANDING BUT I AM A LITTLE SCARED ABOUT THE STITCHING! (#2) what do i do with the hoves the capr was cut off at the last knuckel? please i have never messed with the feet of a hoved animal.......PLEASE SOMEONE HELP/ GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL YOU GOOD TAXIDERMIST! THANK-YOU!@#$%^&*()one more what is the best tan for a lifesize? and how lonngggg could this possible take a 1 year taxi.. i have done about 80 heads of whitetail, PLEASE HELP
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What are you so worried about. So it's your first, but you've done heads. So you have a good start right there.
As for the sewing what are you afraid of. I sew up the belly and then slice the neck right on down to the tail. But i also make a small V cut down the sew line, fill with some criiter clay. Now after you slide the hide on start sewing but they need to be small stitches like a 1\4" apart. Sew about 4" and take a brush and place some hide paste under those stiches. Do this all the way down the body. Now take a blunt object a good dull chisel works fine and press the sewed areas in the clay. This will help hide the sew line nicely.
And the hoofs, yep yor right take right down to the last knuckel. Then just drill a hole in the knuckel to recieve the rod. Not hard at all is is it so far.
Now you hit a bad subject as far as tans go. We all have our own favorites. But this is what I like to use and have no problems with them. I will either tan it with Liqua-Tan or EZ-100. These are the only two tans I have found to be the best for my style of work.
After you tan the hide I would freeze it till your ready.
Now OK GOD TAKE CARE OF ME LOL. As a strong believer in God, God helps those who helps themself. You have to seach to find him. But for those who can't, just look around you. He created it all!
Have a good one.
I would add that a standing mount is easier than laying down, my opinion. I do prefer to have the hide commercially tanned, for reasons that I have stated many times before. Do what you are comfortable with, however you have done your deer capes should be fine. You are the one that has to work with it.
THANKS FRANK I CURRENTLY USE LIQUA TAN BUT THE BOTH OF YOU MAKE IT SOUND SO EASY....HEY I WILL GET STARTED WED THIS WEEK. AGAIN THANKS
FOR THE FEEDBACK IT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL......GOD BLESS!