To do this do you just use an open mouth form but leave the jaw set out? I want to do my coyote with a bird in it's mouth and was just wondering how to proceed. Thank you!
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For commercial work, I always omit the jawset. I mount the quail using polyfill (pillow fill) and run a wire with a hook on it through the bird and wedge it into the back of the opening.
I just did a bobcat with a Gambel's quail in the mouth using Danny Owen's technique of mounting the quail on a sponge body which will then conform perfectly to your predator's mouth (yes, omit the jawset but charge for the open mouth). You can carve a sponge to the rough shape of the quail with a pair of scissors, then mount it. Like George, I then run an upholstery pin through the quail and into the back of the mouth to hold it in place. Both of these methods will allow your bird to conform to the predator's mouth with no tell-tale gaps between the lips and the bird (finish work is also reduced greatly).
Bob Mead
Thanks for the info.The sponge idea sounds like the way to go.It sounds like a pain in the butt to sew up though.Constantly compressing the sponge to sew the skin.
that way you wouln't have to compress the sponge while sewing but should still get the full effectthe skin will only expand to its original size
that way you wouln't have to compress the sponge while sewing but should still get the full effectthe skin will only expand to its original size
Scott I dont know where you come from ,but in MS you could still see alot of teeth in a coys mouth with a quail .Use the jaw set and charge for it omit the tounge.As for a bobcat or fox you dont need a jaw set.(mY OPPINION ONly).