How do I need to skin a beaver for a life-size mount ? Thanks
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remove the skin from the body, flesh, salt, pickle, tan, mount.
On what pose you decide on doing . I usually use a dorsal cut on 90% of lifesize . Much easier to close up when finishing .
As a result, I try to always tube out my small game. Makes my botched sewing disappear.
Jim, Like George, I don't sew well enough to close a dorsal cut on beavers (or I don't want to take the time) that hair is just too short. I cut from one heel to the other across the lower belly-in front of the anal area. Once put on a base the incision is not noticed even if it's not close to perfect. I also cut down the center of the furred part of the tail intersecting the "cross cut". This makes putting the skin on much easier. Now, if you're doing some special pose you may do it much differently but for sitting or gnawing type poses this is what I do. Enjoy, Aaron H.
Don't laugh. It works! We make a small slit through the skin, and literally blow up the beaver using an air hose. The air separates the membranes very efficiently. As to making an incision, I agree with George. Most of the time, they will slide on like a sock.