I'm attempting to mount my first bobcat and have a question for you guys. I used a 8" dorsal cut and tubed the legs all the way down to the toes without splitting anything and clipped off the toes at the joint, which seemed to work fine for the back feet. But when I got to the front feet it seemed like I had to leave quite a bit more of the foot. My question is I guess is how much is enough and do I really need to keep any of it? I'm using the new form from Brian Harness (Lt. laying down) where the legs are removable. And since it is a relaxed pose your really not going to see the claws anyway right? Really appreciate your help.
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but i think what your saying is on the front feet you did not skin all the way to the last knuckle or joint b4 the claws...if this is the case i would go ahead and finish the job as leaving the bones (and little bit of meat)in there can lead to future problems ie:odors, foot drying in contorted shape or even worse breaking off due to that area not being properly tanned and breaking down....an easy way to finish the job since of course you've already cut the toe bones is to get a pair of needle nose pliers or wire cutters to help pull the bone out as you cut the connecting tissue it really should take you but a few minutes for each foot
good luck
eric
some people like to work withthe toe bones in , i believe roger martin or brad harness ( i cant remember which one) leaves the toe bones in to help situate the toes , i personally remove all bone right to the nail , and clip the nails in relaxed mount ,,, you have to decide for yourself ,i usually cut the feet off of nearly every mount and build the foot from a quality clay or putty , im sure with a little more experience you will find the manner in which you like to mount your critter,, the MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is, YOU ARE AN INDIVIDUAL! have faith in your ability ,ask qusetions and learn! and there is never , never , never and substitute for quality , im sure you will get thru this toe thing just fine , hope this helps
Thanks Eric, yes I have the skin pulled down to the last knuckle but I just clipped the toes higher than that because of not being sure what to keep. So if I understand this right just clip them at the last knuckle and try to get as much of the meat between their out as i can?.
Doug, you should be able to cut through the joint with your blade. Just feel for the edge of the toenail through the skin and cut back about an eight inch and you will see the joint and be able to cut right through it. On a relaxed bobcat clip the toenails so they don't stick past the fur.
Thanks for all the response, I love this website I find myself reading thru the archieves all the time.
Anyway thanks I'm sure I'll be asking for help agian sometime.
doug dean just explained how and were just use that last joint and all it take s is the blade of your scalpel (or knife or whatever you skin with) to push right through the joint
Get everything out!
The claws do not show unless the cats wants it to.
Felines have retractable claws.
In the laying pose the cats is relaxed and would not be showing claws
Dont clip the claws off. Use a surgical forcep and place them into the clayed in toes, just like the live cat would do. Just use a little rollback into and down while pushing the claws.
Thanks John C! Thats what I'll do, I was afaid of not getting all the meat out anyway.
Thanks everyone for your advice.
Usually I skin out the toes clear down to the toenail and then cutaround the membrane where the toenail is attached to the skin. Ultimately I have removed the last digit and the toenail. Since cats dont show toenails I dont have to do any thing special to the toes when mounting. The small holes at the end of the toes get a few stiches and a little bit of clay. For me, the cat toenails are a pain because they always want to peek out on the mount. Also you can form some very nice feet from the outside because the hair patterns are more manageable without that last digit in there.
if they aren't going to show in a relaxed position, i remove the claws, invert the toe and sew it shut. It's probably more work, but I've never been scratched by a declawed cat while tanning, mounting, etc.