I'm new at taxidermy, so right now I'm just doing deer mounts for friends until I learn it. My one buddy shot a fox the other day and wants me to try mounting it for him. How hard is it mount (full body), and what would it be worth considering its my first one, and I'm new at it so they now already that it is basically my "practice" run.
Also if anyone had a minute to inform me on where to start skinnning the fox and steps to get it all off the body that would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Clinton
Return to Lifesize Mammal Taxidermy Category Menu
Any lifesize is going to be fairly hard, especially if you do not watching someone. If I were you, I would buy a video-- I just don't think a book would do justice for a lifesize (normally there will be a lot of altering to do on the form. Depending on where you live, a lifesize fox around where I live is worth $350-$400 professionally done. You will want to start skinning by making the following cuts: 1)from the back of the head to the base of the tail
2)skin from the anus to the elbow on each of the back legs
3)You will also need relief cut from the elbow up to the body on the front legs (to help get the feet out easier!
4) just skin head out the same as any other animal, but be careful because their skin is much thinner than a deers
I may not have explained this well, but maybe it will help to get you started! Good Luck, the first one is always the hardest!
Fox are pretty tricky in my opinion but hey ya have to start somewhere...I wouldn`t do one for under 400.00...
if he understands that you are still learning and doing it for the practice/experience then go for it. if he wants it perfect then he is probably better off with someone else with more experience. you could also get a few from people on this site to work with first then do his after you have a few under your belt.