I'm new to taxidermy. Have tanned some hides (including bear) but never done a shoulder mount. I'm planning on getting a Van Dyke "complete kit" and was wondering if anyone has used these before and if so, do they like the kits. I don't want to ask any "stupid" generalist questions that I see so often on this site but would like any experienced "teacher types" if they have any words of advice on the good, bad, ugly of coytote mounts. That's a pretty general question but I don't want to make any novice errors and was hoping you folks could tell me what to watch out for and avoid. Thanks.
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i did my first 2 or 3 from vans kits,the hard thing is getting the right size form out of the specs.all the stuff for us BEGINNERS is there just each one ya do take a step up and experiment.im a single dad of 2 ,and i wish i could aford to pay for a class or seminar from these pros.like a guote i think from john c or bill yox,you can do a 100 or a 1000,if you dont do seminars ,compitions it takes longer and i agree i have alot(8) of heads mounted by a pro in my home and i use them as refrence to help me ..im 41 and when i get to 55 i wanna retire and do deer heads cuz, i guess well, i just love it
imder any circumstances get a Van Dyke beginner kit for mammals (not deer) - they are pure crap - thus speaks the vouce of experience
Wiz,
I've never used the kits, so I cannot speak to that, but I would recommend that you survey the kit and buy the pieces noted there individually. Van Dykes sells some pretty good stuff, but I get my forms from other sources. In any event, coyotes are hard to do. Few mounts recreate the true coyote personna and the easiest way to achieve the best results is to do a carcass cast of the animal's actual head and use it to replace the head that comes on the form. Since this is probably beyond your experience at this point, just measure closely and get a form that's close in size. If you can't get an exact fit, go a smidgeon smaller. Two points on the mount - eyes and nose. Most coyote eyes look terrible. Just remember to put about twice as much clay above the eyes as below to give the proper structure to the forehead and use LOTS OF REFERENCE. As far as the nose, those boogers are hard to get cleaned out completely before tanning, but do your best. If it wrinkles a little as it dries, no problem. Rebuild the creases and wrinkles with epoxy and stipple with a brass grooming brush using the tips of the brass "teeth". Take your time, take a deep breath, and have a good time.
Thank you everyone for your comments! They are appreciated very much. I have seen some coyotes that just don't look natural at all ... usually with bugged out eyes or bad ears or puffy muzzles. Thanks.