I was at our state show a few years back and someone said that one of the whitetails was seamless.I was wondering if it is possible to do,and if so what the procedure might be to take the cape off?
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I entered my first competition last year and got a blue under ameture and I had a seem but seamless is the way to go in pro and master. A master taxidermist told me to cut the horns off at the base and tube the cape like a doe. After tanning the hide, mount the animal just like normal. Use key stock to reinstall the antlers. The holes you drill depend on the size key stock you use. He told me to use bondo to install the key stock into the antlers and the base then use a good epoxy to install the antlers to the base. Make sure you use a marker to mark reference points on the base so you can align the anlers up rite. I've never tried this yet but I plan to in my next competion. If I left anything out I'm sorry. I've only been doing taxidermy for three years. Hope this gives you an idea.
Del
Maybe for the summer southern whitetail, but even a doe is tough to tube out. For the time required to pull this trick off, it's too cost prohibitive as far as I'm concerned. I tell beginners they should be much more concerned with proper anatomy than the seam in the back. A seamless buck with ears too far down on the neck,lips improperly tucked, nostrils too open and eyes not properly focused won't win ribbons including the green ones with dead presidents pictures on them.
Ive done them seamless, even put seams done the front or side instead of the back...all have their merit. But, its usually easier to hide a modest seam and get all the other points of interest correct...just like George said.
I was just giving advice given to me. To each his own. I wouldn't do this on commercial mounts, only competition. Thay hit hard in competition here in West Virginia. The advice was given to me by a master taxidermist and I was judged by a master taxidermist who has the "best in the world" buck and seems are a no no in pro and master competition. I also did'nt say that anatomy wasn't important I was just answering a question. Sorry if I steped on anyones toes.
Del
that we are planing on doing for the comp this year.Both bucks score in the 150 range,nice deer, I realize anoatomy must also be correct just wasnt sure if they could be tubed or not. Appearenty this is poss.We also have a smaller one that will not be used in the comp.so we will "test tube" it and see how it goes. Thanks for the input. John.
You need to learn real fast that there IS NO SUCH THING AS A "MASTER TAXIDERMIST". That's a self ascribed title. There is no qualifications for it, there's no certifications for it, theres no diploma for it. This years "World Champion" most likely won't be next years and I know some guys who laid claim to that title long ago and whose work, compared to todays standards, really sucks. Most taxidermists who've been in the business for any length of time can tell you the answers to any and all questions you have. That surely doesn't make them "master taxidermists" either.
Secondly, judging in West Virginia is no tougher than it is in most other places. The seam really plays a minor role in all scoring if you look at most score sheets. That's what I meant about it being an exercise in time consumption. One of the best taxidermists I know happens to believe that any deer should be split all the way down the neck for proper mounting. Not on my best day would I try that either.
Ive won a couple awards here and there, and Ive also judged the World show a few times, and heck, Ive even judged your West Virginia show before! Nobody stepped on any toes, this is just a discussion, so feel free to voice your opinion. Someone asked the thoughts of seamless mounts. Im telling you Ive not only judged plenty, but Ive done them, too. In my opinion, an experienced opinion, I feel going to the extent of doing a seamless mount compremises your ability to do the other points of anatomy. Thats all. EXAMPLE...if the seamless mount caused you to not be able to blend the joint where you joined the ear butt to the head (deduct one point?) and the antler ramp crease was off (deduct one point?) and the eye lid skin was distorted from feeding clay through it (deduct one point?) and the ear angle was questionable (deduct one point?) or the cape might pull anywhere around the antler base, which is still a seam, well theres four points or better right there. It might take a TERRIBLE seam to be docked 4 points. Now then, which would you consider? Again, no toe stepped on here, just an observation. Happy mounting!
You and I've been around at least all day, but I have to admit, that example was one of the best I've seen about that process. I'm mumbled through explanations, but you done good and got right to the heart of the problem. Thanx.
I've been thinking about entering some competitions so I can,#1 be more involved and #2 maybe have a ribbon on the wall of my shop.My question is are most customers impressed by a ribbon and will it really help my buissiness any? I am VERY critical of my own work and,I don't mean to sound arrogant but my work is already better than most in my area,not that I'm THAT good or anything it's just that it seems like nobody else around here even cares enough to make their mounts look alive.Whats worse is it seems like most of their customers don't know the difference.When someone asks me what I think about one of their bug eyed train wrecks with the ears coming out of the back of it's neck it's hard not to comment but I don't because I'm not in this buissiness to bash someone elses work or steal their customers.I guess my question is how can I become known as one of the better ones around without knocking other peoples work or sounding like an a$$?
I don't compete above my own small state. No reason other than I just don't. At first, the ribbons fit well on my "I love me wall", but I soon realized that the customers who were impressed by them weren't the ones I needed to make a living. Those guys were more impressed with the quality OF my work. Now I only enter pieces I'm doing for customers and if they win anything, I give the ribbons away with the piece. Some people do love to brag about that.
BUT, you should compete. If you take any pride in your work, there's only one way to get any better and that's to compete. When you do, you get critiqued by your peers and you learn new and improved techniquest that makes your work even better. I've learned more in simple conversations at competitions that I'd learned in 30 years of trial and error. The ribbons are ancillary, the knowlege is the best thing about competitions. Go for it and it'll pay you in ways you never imagined.
Your best compliment and achievement will always be return customers. If youre a taxidermist to make money, thats how its done, please the customer. If you can attract customers who insist on higher end work, I believe the ribbon will help. Make sure all your work is equal to that ribbon. The shows are fun, and in many instances, quite valuable. Just dont allow the quest for a ribbon consume you, as it once did me and so many others. You can do both. Keep working hard in the studio, and allow time to persue your ribbon/education. Its fun supporting your state show too. Lots of friends there to be made. Id say "Do it".
Thanks to both of you! The advice was very helpfull. I'll be heading across the country in a few weeks for a job (if I still have it)with a very high end taxidermist.It will be an awesome learning experience for me.Either of you guys know anything about Stewart Valentine? He seems like a good guy and his work looks great,but this is a very big step for me and some info would be nice to have before I move 1300 miles. Your advice on this would be greatly appreciated.Thanks again.
Enjoy yourself, work hard, and learn. Tell Stewart I said howdy.
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do you need a buisness lisence to compete in the WV show i do it mostly as a hobby but i do very good work at least i think i do comparing my mounts to others any info would be great and wanted to let Bill Yox know that the whitetail paint scedule in the Breakthrough Magazine has help me alot thanks Bill
Hello Fredie,
You do not need a license of any kind to enter a compitition in West Virginia.We would love to have you attend the West Virginia show , compete , and get to know everyone ,we have a great time getting together and learning what we can.We will be having a meetting soon and hashing out the details for next years show.
If you email me your address, I will make sure you get a newsletter and the information you need to join us for a weekend of fun and learning.
It's my opinion some people get way too serious when it comes to compititions. They are for learning and getting together with people that have the same interest as you .
So send me your address and and we can get you what you need to have a great learning experience and meet a lot of geat people.
thank you