I got a call today from a guy who had a flying squirrel killed by his daughter's cat. I told him I didn't want to even see it till he contacted his local CO and got a disposal tag for it (same thing KY does for roadkilled animals). Having never mounted one but having seen forms in some catalogs, I have a couple of questions and no archive info to follow. Does the skin between the legs, flight-web I guess, have to be turned similar to other mammals'ears or does another technique need to be used? Would it be better to tan in pickel or use a sodium sulfate/spray tan to preserve? Any advice on forms or form prep? Thanks.
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If it was up to me anymore I'd have the thing freeze dried.Yes you need to seperate that flap and it's like working with wet toilet paper.Tan if you like..dp does just fine.
You are going to be doing the spred wing mount, aftre you split the wings to the tips and flesh, you will have to cut the form into two halves, one upper and one lower. Insert each separately and then pin anf glue in place with hot glue or 5 minute epoxy, it is the only way to get on the form with a small belly incision
THREE PIECES. Cut both legs and wing off each side. Make a case cut. Stick the right and left leg/wing pieces in and then shove the cigar body up the middle. Then superglue.
If I were you, I'd check with your local wildlife officer about the legality of mountin' that critter-they were on the endangerd species list last time I checked(puts them right up there with mountin' an owl)-Susan
I just did one a couple weeks ago. I used DP and yes you have to split those flight webs all the way. I just case skun it back leg to back leg. Its kind of like trying to skin a wet piece of toilet paper off a ice cube but it can be done. I did nothing to the form at all once it was DPed I worked the little rat right over the form and pasted in place. It came out great it was the easyist mount I have done so far. Oh yeah thanks George lol.
I told the guy to get the needed permits or it wouldn't be allowed in my shop. If the KY F&W won't give him a disposal permit, he'll have to feed it to the cat after all.
ENDANGERED SPECIES? I don't think so. They simply aren't listed on most "game" laws since they aren't "game". They're like mice and their infestations are just as troublesome if not more in some areas. I have a friend who has a log home. They've taken up residence and they were "cute" until the mating season began. Now he's hired an exterminator.
i thought they were endangered it is probably illegal to mount
they are not endangered mount it the way you want
End the whole problem of whats legal and not legal, MOUNT THE CAT. Dead cats catch no wildlife. Give it time, and feral (or loose) house cats will put them (flying squirells and others) on the list of protected/endangered wildlife. They blame the decline in numbers on hunters! KEEP THE CAT IN THE HOUSE!
Hell Joe we've always had cats and they're no help with the infestation.10 years of poison,shooting the little suckers like skeet and traps on the trees and we still haven't gotten rid of them.