I was talking with a taxidermist down the road one day, and he asked me if I washed my deerheads with a water hose after mounting. He claims it gets the hair to lay flat or something. Anyone hear of this before ?
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Back up a bit and study your winter deer. Hair does not lay flat on them, it stands working as it should as an insulator. Check your reference photos.
I would never do that to my trophy but... After you mount the deer brush the hair while it is wet. The hair will lay just fine. I even use hairspray on stubborn spots. Don't drench your mount you could wash off all the paint and rehydrate to the point of bacteria growth again. Now that I think of it don't ever do it!
God Bless
I just thought it was a strange thing to do. I don't know why he did it or where he learned it from. Iv'e never seen his work. Was just wondering if anyone else did it.
Marc A., I don't wash gameheads after mounting- I agree with JOhn C- deer hair should not look flat. I do wash lifesize mounts after mounting and drying. Good shampoo and a quick wash makes fur shine and fluff up real pretty. Got this from Roger Martin and since starting it my cats look better than they ever could before. For sure, I DON'T do it to get them to look "flat". Enjoy, Aaron H.