I have talked to a couple of pro's and didn't get much of a response.
i saw in a magazine a while back how to do a fish head mount of a pike. This is a 10lb fish so its not huge but really nice. All I remember is a picture of the fish with a can in the mouth and the gills flared. has anyone seen or heard of this. This is a do it yourself project that I want to do. I'm not a taxidermist but I would like to preserve a part of this.
Can I soak the head is something to help preserve it then put a clear coat on it. Any suggestions
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...you'd better become a taxidermist real quick. The heads of fish are one of the trickest parts of a fish to clean for preserving. All the flesh must be removed. All the brain matter taken out. The eyes removed and replaced with reproductions that mirror the original ones. It needs to be degreased - most of the oils are located in the heads of fish. You need to replace the flesh you take out with clay, mache or something to fill the sunken spots out again. You need to card gills, tie off the esophegus, provide a backing to secure to a wall board or something strong enough to hang directly on the wall. You ought to paint it as well as colors fade and turn dark. Be sure to use something to keep the bugs off of and out of it over the years too. I'm sure I've forgotten a few steps here and there, but take it from someone who has done a fair share of fishhead mounts, you MUST be a taxidermist to preserve any animal or animal parts. If it was as simple as dropping something dead in solution and hanging it up, there would be no such thing as a taxidermist. I'm always amazed at how naive the general public is about the work, skill, research and extensive knowledge that goes into creating wildlife art at ANY level.
Clean fish head then pose the head exactly the way you want soak In formaline for a week or less then when you take out fill checks set eyes and allow to dry.I seen a taxidermist do a lot of these on a multi driftwood deal It really looked great the bigger the head the better they look
I didn't realize fish were so EASY, just shape, soak, set and shim? I think I'll start doing fish. No WONDER that is Cecil's niche...lol
*just kidding Cecil*
I'm not a Doctor, but I think that I want to do an operation next week. I talked to some Dr.s, but not much help or information from them on takeing out my appendex. Has anyone done this operation?
Not knoking Kerry, I just get a kick that the none-taxidermist world, think that anyone can just "stuff" or "preserve" animals with a snap of the finger, with a popcan, a soak and varnish.
Kerry, the best thing to do to realy make this fish thing last for ever and add meaning to the catch, is to do the research and cut your teeth on a carp and learn some taxidermy, then do your pike. You will be impressed and proud of yourself. Go for it!
Ok beside's the finnese and talent that we all got over night,we are playing with dead crap and there is actually only so much you can do with dead crap..LOL..Common sense and practice anyone can do this..