I am just getting back into taxidermy after doing a little of it 6 years ago. I pulled out 2 whitetail mounts that I did back then and had been happy with them. Upon close inspection though, the hides has shrunk away from the antler bases a little bit. I do not remember this being an issue even a year or so after mounting. how do you prevent this from happening in the future while you are mounting a head? how long can it take for all of the moisture to finally leave a mount? I live in eastern Colorado so the air is always VERY dry. I would have thought that after 6 months or so there would be no water left or shrinkage left to happen.
and comments would be welcome
thanks
Justin
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The new two part epoxies will stop the problem in the future.
I place a pretty large glob between the eyes and once you have the seams sewn, work this up and around under the skin and into the seams.
Do that and you will not have any problem with skin to antler burr shrinkage.
Also be sure you flesh that area thin, that will reduce shrinkage.
Before Epo-Grip and other two-part adhesives were available for taxidermy use, brad nails were nailed around each burr and snipped with side cutters just above the skin to prevent the skin from pulling away. Just like John said, thin the skin as best as you can and use quality adhesives. You may add the nails just to be sure.
I was going to respond, but the two before me took the words right out of my mouth. So here's my two cents worth... listen to them!
Hogger
Justin, The cause of shrinkage around the base of the antlers is caused by one or more of 3 things. When you prepare the cape you must thin the skin down a lot to limit the amount of skin that will be available to shrink as it dries. Next you must replace the flesh that you removed from the skull plate with clay (lack of doing this is the biggest cause of skin pulling away from the bases). Finally you must use a quality adhessive over the clay and the top of the mannikin and skull plate which will hold it all together. Do these 3 things and you will never have that problem again. Enjoy, Aaron H.
Take the advice offered above, but also...
when you are placing the hide around the base of the antlers, use a dab of super glue and tack the hide up tight, and in and under the antler base; then put a nail in. Do this around both antlers and then do your sewing for the neck/head cuts. I find that this method gives me an extra set of hands that holds the hide in place while I am monkeying around with it. After about 2 weeks (depending upon your drying room conditions) you can complete the sculpting and finish painting for the eyes, and then when this is dry, pull the nails and style the hair.