Wondering which way is the best way to skin out a wolf for a full mount,down the back or under the belly.Never done a project this big.Down the bottom and legs seems easier to sew up and hide.Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.
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Right or wrong, I don't know. But my personal preference on 99% of my mounts I'll choose a dorsal ("down the back") incision. It's just what I've gotten use to and I find it quite easier. Especially on a long haired wolf it should be easy to sew up and you'll never know it was done! I will say one thing, if you make a dorsal incision punch or mark the incision every 6 or 8 inches. This allows you to line it up better when sewing. With the dorsal incision when putting the skin onto the mannikin it's kind of like putting on a pair of pants. One leg in at a time and pull it up. I generally will remove the head at the neck and reattach afterwards.
Any other way and I say it's too much sewing! But many folks would recommend skinning case style or ventral. I hate sewing! And on a wolf or anything else a dorsal cut requires a good amount of sewing. I keep my stitches quite close! I've been known to throw a towel over it and come back after lunch! Only sewing I want to do on the legs is stiching up my short as possible relief cuts if needed! Another reason for my choice is I hate sewing up belly skin! Oh, the list could go on!
Good luck!
dorsal