what is the hardist mammal in N A to mount ?
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I think the Shrew is the hardest. Hard to find too.
A shrew is tough but a porcupine is the worst as there is no way you can do one without getting at least one quill stuck in you .
Just like removing a shark jaw , you can do it but your going to bleed in the end . Rick
Something like an Antelope jack rabbit. The ears and face structure would be very difficult to get to look absolutely right, combined with the thin legs with muscle definition, and weak skin. My opinion of shrews is that they are quite easy because the basic musculature doesn't really show since they are equipped for tunnel living. As for rarity, if I had proper permits and sufficient snap and pitfall traps set, I could go out in summer and collect easily several dozen shrews of at least three species overnight in parts of Pennsylvania. Porkies are difficult because it is hard to get all fat off the skin and to make a clean specimen since the quills often have a grease build-up on them, besides the quill-sticking aspect. Many animals have certain problems - for example a star-nosed mole would be difficult to get the nose cast correctly, any of the Kangaroo rats from the west would have wisker and ear problems without consideration for size, full grown Moose would be difficult because of size and weight of the hide, Armadillos for getting no drying shape changes in the shell, etc.
Wildlife-artist, you never gave us your opinion...
And not because it's difficult to do, but because, almost without exception, few people mount them WELL.
Thin skin,big mess,esp with shot holes in the ears. Then porkys and dillos. Yes on full moose,but also full mount mature bull buffalo in winter fur. I had a hard enough time with buffalo necks and a shoulder mount.
A shrew would not bother me,I'd just freeze dry it! Bunnies best FD too.
i think your right on the Antelope jack rabbit that is what i need to do for the world
wildlife-artist
at least for me anyway, Seems like everyone else had no problem.