I have a Standing (on hind legs) Bear mount to repair. Dogs ate the front paws off. They are missing all the way to the wrist.
Anyone have suggestions/thoughts about how you might handle a repair like this?
Can anyone tell me where I might find artificial paws?
Thanks in advance.
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There aren't any artificial ones.Your best bet is to have a competent taxidermist replace the paws. www.moscowhideandfur usually has some,either salted or tanned.
Thanks, ( lol ) but I actually consider myself to be a competent taxidermist. I'm looking for more specific suggestions about how you would handle this kind of repair.
Sorry,I was assuming you were a customer and not a taxidermist.I would get a couple tanned bear paws the right size and color and re-mount that part.Trim back any damaged edges on the original skin-leave the new skin long.Mount the paws on the form,the usual way,then trim your new skin to match the edge of the old.You can sew the old to the new or epoxy it.If you are a good,neat sewer and the "old" skin is not too old,you could do that.It might be a little easier to use the epoxy-put it under the edge of the old skin too.If you new paws match pretty well,no one will ever know-except you and the dog.Be careful locking a dog in a room with mounts when you'll be gone any length of time.I know of a lot of horror stories.One fellow I know lost 4 lower legs on a customer's lifesize Dall Sheep to a young bird dog-ouch!Good luck with the repair.It will go quicker and easier than you think.