Hello All. I would like to start out by stating that I did click the little orange button to the left and it wasn't the greatest help to me. I am a hobby taxidermist still learning each and every day and I know I will be learning for every day that I do taxidermy in this lifetime for that matter. I do mostly mammals, some fish and some gameheads. I basically do all my own stuff I kill, with hopes to some day do it for a living. My question is, I have heard of some of the pro's removing the whiskers from a bobcat and reinstalling when dry? supposed to make the whisker pad less time consuming to thin down and flesh? I have done several mounts with great results, atleast in my opinion, but i always spend a great deal of time shaving and fleshing the whisker pads. I know everything takes time to perfect and to learn in this indusrty, but I also know some of you pro's out there also know some easier ways than doing things the way I usually do, which mind you is usually a$$ backwards until I hit the search button and say oh, why didn't I do that first. Anyway, if it is not a difficult task to accomplish, can one of you post how it is done. Thanks for all your present help and all the archives that I have learned most of what I know from in the past!
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I do the following:
After thinning the whisker pad area,remove the whiskers one at a time and align them in a piece of clay the same way as you took them out. Repeat for the other side. When mount is finished super glue them in their appropriate location.
Good Luck
ks
Thanks again, one last question, a small drop of glue at the end of the whisker and insert into where it came out of? I will also take a photo of each side, this way I know exactly where it came from or should be. Thanks again for your help.
a needle to make a hole then superglue in
to much work, easyer to thin the pad and work on the form to make them fit.
"Wildlife-artist" how is that "Too hard". Thinning the cheeks may be OK and I've used it all. That layer of clay underneath, the whole bit. The EASIEST way, is to shave that muzzle like you would normally. The manikin already has the cheek built up. I use masking tape and lay the whiskers out like they came out. When I put it back together, I do the pin and superglue trick. EVERY WHISKER CAN BE POSITIONED EXACTLY LIKE YOU WANT IT. You don't have to worry about drying and pulling or whiskers laying back overnight when you weren't watching.
Thanks for the input, from what I can see alot of the true pro's do this method, I will give it a try. George, great point you made about the whiskers shifting and being able to put them in the position you want after the drying out period. Thanks again guys!
Christopher - don't make more work for yourself by pulling or cutting the tactile hairs. Learn by trimming the areas around them. There are more than just the whiskers on the cat's face and many other mammals. Four other sets are on the face. One of them is located behind the eye and down about an inch. Another is located close to the back corner of the mouth. Some are where you would find the eyebrow. All of these need to be thinned down. Being careful not to cut them off, they will play an important role in lining up the face. There are even some under the chin to aid you in lining this area up correctly. If you have the whole cat, or at least the head, take careful notes and measurements. Trimming around the whiskers is the best way to do them, making sure you use the best hide glue possible to control shrinkage. I have done a few cats in my time and have done them both ways. Gluing them in is harder, messier, and gives the cat a "fake" appearance, especially for a beginner. I only glue them in if some are missing, to balance the other side. I certainly don't know everything and learn every time I do a cat, but I do want them to be fun and not a headache like gluing them in is. The tactile hairs, along with the eyes, ears, and body attitude, are very important and can give the cat the look you want to portray.
p.s. Always remember the three most important things in taxidermy: use the best eyes, study your subject, and use all kinds of reference.