Submitted by Bob on 6/16/99. ( rpeeters@together.net )
I want to start practicing taxidermy, I have ordered some videos.
I do not have any fish to mount. Is it a good idea to start with a replica,
or should I do a real skin mount first.
any suggestions on videos....
thanks,
BOB
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This response submitted by George Roof on 6/16/99. ( georoof@aol.com )
Bob,
Replicas are an excellent place to start if you are wanting to perfect your painting/airbrush skills. They make a perfect medium for correcting mistakes since you can use a thinner and start all over again without worrying about damage to your subject.
Conversely, it will do nothing for the learning process we all had to endure of skinning and mounting a fish. It's like trying to be a Green Beret without going through Basic Training.
My advice is to get your hands dirty. Start with a largemouth bass (their skin is tougher and scales remain inplace better), a pheasant (this bird has a relatively tough skin and most of the fat can be removed with your fingernail.) and then a (boy do I hate saying this) a squirrel. Squirrels have exceptionally tough skins, but have proven to be very difficult to mount. Tree rats have tiny mouths with big teeth that have to me worked around, tails that need to be fluffed, and eyes that need to be kept from looking like a frog.
Jump in, the water's fine. Good luck.
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