I'm mounting my first lifesize bobcat. I researched the archives but only ended up with more questions. Something was mentioned about nose shrinkage but nothing about what to do, and I can't find the right size form in the catalogs for the position desired. I've skinned the cat but it hasn't been fleshed yet. What are the critical points to mounting cats?
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The nose on bobcats, or any other animal will shrink because of the cartilage is left on the nose pad. When people skin out an animal they cut the nose off from the skull leaving the cartilage attached. Then they split the cartilage in two, then trim it as close to the nose pad as possible. If you "DON'T" remove ALL the cartilage from the nose pad you'll get the shrinkage people are talking about. Also when prepping your mannikin, I always add a little clay on the nose, on the mannikin. Then I can form the nose the way needed. You also need to insert some paper towel into the nostrels, or what ever you feel will hold the nose pad in the shape you want it, until it dries.
Coyote
If you really want to learn how to do this cat, purchase Jan Van hoosen's (may be spelled wrong)tape on mounting a bobcat, I think it is an excellent tape and will take you through every step a-z. Available at WASCO
Copy and paste this link...I did a article(step by step) on mounting a bobcat a few months ago...check it out for some pointers...
http://www.hidetanning.net/BobcatLynxMounting.html
I`ve got some other helpful info on my website too... www.travistaxidermy.net
In reguards to you having trouble finding the right pose for your size of cat, all I can tell ya is you need to get used to altering manikins in the future...There are over a 100 different manikins on the market---ya just need more catalogs to find the pose ya want..
I almost always use artificial noses on all small mammals and bears. Yes its a little extra work but the end results are much better. Coyote gave very good advice on the cartilage removal you must get it all out. I take a Q tip and cut the end off with just enough stick to push into the manikin leaving the cotton end to hold the nostril in position. I hope you can get what I am talking about. I like to use appoxie sculpt under the nose pad. I found that it holds position better then clay does. Pay attention to your secondary ears make sure they are split out. Whisker roots, clean as much as you can around them this will help when the mount is drying, your whiskers won't wonder all over the place. If you cut one off and it falls out save it you can glue it back in place after your mount is dry. Research Mannikins has some of the best Bobcat forms I have used yet. There are tons of things you need to know about cats prior to mounting one. Depending on the pose they almost never have there nails out pay close attention to these as the mount is drying. One more thing cats are vey hard to get to look life like. The lip skin will look way to big for the mannikin your going to THINK you need a larger lip line DO NOT do this just start tucking the skin it will work. I could go on about cats for a long time the person that tought me has won numorous awords for his cat work. If you have any other questions you can email me. Hope I have helped Jack F
Again you all are a ton of help. All great advice! I've learned more here than I ever did at that school I went to. So far I've never had any trouble with shrikage on my nose's (I have done deer and sm mammals but when reading some of the archives on bobcats it seemed everyone had nose problems! Kinda scared me I guess!