The Breakthrough Whitetail Taxidermy Manual $20
McKenzie Video/Whitetail Mounting Basics and McKenzie Video/Whitetail Finishing Basics I think these are Dennis Behn Video's? $44
Rittel's EZ100 Tanning Kit $25
Ear Openers $13
Fleshing Knife/12" Blade $19
Going to make fleshing beam.
Whitetail Doe Upright Shoulder $22
Natural Light Deer Eyes $11
Critter Clay $4
Thread Needles $6
Whitetail Natural Earliners $5
Dan-D-Noser Texture Roller $30
Skife $6
Hide Paste $18
Mammal Sampler Kit/Life Tone $36
Grand Total off $260
What else do I need? Is there something here I shouldnt get or subsitute with something else? I am trying to find out how much money I need so I know if I get $325 for my Double Bull 360 Matrix blind will be enough to get started in taxidermy.
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WASCO has a good kit put together by Sallie Dahmes that has everything you need to mount a deer except a form. Since its your first time mounting a deer I wouldnt worry about a dan-d-noser. You should focus on other things besides nose texture right now. Oh yeah get alot of reference Photos.
Van Dykes has a good kit too. Right around 63.00 for everything you need. You supply the cape and horns! They have forms or you can choose forms from thier catalog for a little more $, but not too much more. You'll have to get your own flesher and ear opener though. I find a spoon works ok. You'll have to ask them about doe forms though, if you are intending to do a doe. Good Luck!
...do not come with ear openers. Also, the videos are better than a kit unless you find a kit with one included. Go with Whitey forget the dan-d-noser and use mod podge. Missing apoxisculpt for finishing around the eyes and inside of nose. You can use art paint instead of air brush paint walmart has like 8 colors for 10 or 11 bucks if you don't have an airbrush.
John
Dump that Dan-D-Noser unless you like noses that look like what Leanna Nelson called "raspberries". There are MUCH better ways.
Tony, This is just my own preference but the upright form is a bit harder to mount on than a semi-upright form. I would get the semi-upright pose, forget all about the dandee noser, leave off the ear opener tool (handy tool for stretching the legs of mammals but good for ripping ears too), instead of the fleshing knife and the skife I would get an inexpensive 6" Rapella filet knife from a fishing supply store and a scalpul handle and #22 blades, and get the reference photographs. Watch the video several times and then enjoy, Aaron H.
The Breakthrough Whitetail Taxidermy Manual $20
McKenzie Video/Whitetail Mounting Basics and McKenzie Video/Whitetail Finishing Basics I think these are Dennis Behn Video's? $44
Rittel's EZ100 Tanning Kit $25
Going to make fleshing beam.
Van Dyke's Whitetail Doe Semi-Sneak Shoulder $27
6" Rapella filet knife $8
scalpul handle and #22 blades $6
Van Dyke's Whitetail Deer Finishing Manuals $20
WASCO Whitetail Deer Shoulder Mount Kits $37
or
Van Dyke's Synchron Eye Package-No Form $40
Which one is better?
Grand Total $190
Does anyone else have advice?
Forget the Van Dykes finishing manual the McKenzie tape and Breakthrough book will have more than enough info for your first deer.