This will be tough I imagine, but I'm going to try to mount a coyote I shot. Will be dorsal skinned, with relief cuts in legs. All pad fat will be removed and professionally tanned. I will use eyes and manikin from Research Mannikins. NO EXPERIENCE, need advice? Thanks guys and gals.
STEVE
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With most hobbies it can be ok to just jump into things and get your feet wet, but with taxidermy you may want to start with something much smaller and work your way up. Judging from your post i don't think you have alot of experience with mammals or any mounts, you weren't clear about it. Anyway, if this is a trophy that you would like to cherish, you should try starting out with a coon or rabbit, because you don't want to ruin it.
If coyotes are abundant and this is just a shot in the dark, then go ahead and give it a shot.
I only caution you about it because of my own experience, and my first coyote came out looking like the cartoon character instead of a lifelike one. I went back to doing smaller mammals and now they look normal. Of course this was almost 20 years ago, and alot has changed since then.
Don't mean to discourage you, just suggesting some caution so you don't wind up dissapointed.
Angelo G.
I also did a coyote for my first mount. It was a long process and it made me reconsider my prospective abilities. However I stuck with it and it did not come out to bad. Afterwards I did a couple fisher, fox and deer heads. I learned that lifesize are difficult and frustrating, but it got my feet wet. Thats' the best way to learn though. Don't expect alot out of your first couple mounts. Take your time and look back at the mount and see what you could have done better. If you stick with it you WILL surprise yourself. Good Luck.
Steve, Lots of people would advise that begginers start with a squirrel, I think the coyote is ambitious but other than the greater expense larger things are, in some ways, easier. Best single bit of advise I could give is be sure not to buy too large a form. Many people measure incorrectly and get too much form and that is a nightmare to work with for the inexperienced. I would say a form 2" shorter than the nose to base of tail dimension would be ever so much easier for this first effort. Having the actual body on hand to compare to the form is invaluable as it shows right away if the form's legs are too heavy or the belly needs rasping down. A video on mounting a lifesize coyote (or fox or similar) will be worth 10 times it's cost if you have never seen this done before. Reference photos of a coyote can be bought from most suppliers and are necessary. Oh yea, read the archives on this site about all facets from eyes and ears to repairs/finishing and base work. Good luck with this and when it gets a little tough take a deep breath and remember to enjoy, Aaron H.
I'm not really concerned about it. The coyote is no trophy....just a yote I shot with my bow. It has beautiful fur though. I'm ordering a video on mounting a fox, hopefully they will be similar. Reference photos would be a great idea. I also liked the advice to get a slightly smaller form. Point taken. If the coyote turns out looking like a rat, then I'll just use him as a decoy when I go coyote hunting.
STEVE