Dry Preservative for Squirrels mounts, vs. Tanning them

Hello to all,

I just wanted to know if you are a beginner and are going to try your first lifezie mount for small game like squirrels, rabbits, weasels, and other small mammals that are about 9 inches long. Should I go with dry preservative or wet tan them with ez-100. I have had quite a bit of expierence being a tanner for wall hangers, and fur garments, as well as rugs. I was using ez-100 at that time, but I have never mounted anything. I am worried about the stretch of the hide after tanning that it will shrink up on me and not fit the form. Most of my tanned skins shrink a inch to one inchin a half. The form that I am ordering is for a squirrel that I am mounting. It is exactly right on the money with the measurements I have taken, except for the nose to the eye being 1/4 inch off and the grith being 7/8 inch to large. However, If I tan this with all of the shrinkage that occurs, it might not even fit on the form properly ? But if I go with dry preserveative it might have excellent stretch. Im worried though, about the longevity of the mount and how long it will last. I hear that DP mounts crack over time especially in climates with extreme changes in humidity, where I live In Texas this occurs quite often between humid air and dry air, will this affect a DP mount ? Or should I not be concerned.

Any Help Is appreciated.

Thanks

M.J.P.D

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dry preserve it

shouldn't cause any problems

shrinkage

If your getting that much from your tanning, it's because of two things:1 are you oiling the hide? 2 did you thin the hide down?
A squirrel has a thinck back and that's were you'll get some shrinkage. You can use a skife knife to do this.
Also I never had the shrinkage you are explaining here. Are you checking your animal to the form that your getting? Most squirrels out there are over sized in the arms and legs cause of the foam. they do this so it won't break when they pull it out.
Besides the only thing I DP is bird mounting, Other than that I tan all skins.

DP always gets a bum rap

Who told you that? DP mounts last just as long if not longer than any tanned hide you'll find. That kind of statement always seem to come from someone who's never really TRIED DP but who heard from a friend of a friend of a .... If you were talking about birds, not a single person would argue that DP or just borax is the very best thing since sliced bread, but don't you DARE mention DP with animals. So how is it the birds mounted with DP can last forever, yet animals mounted with it are just "junk"?

Thanks for all of the good comments

I think I will go ahead and try out the dry preservative since it is the easiest to work with on small squirrel sized animals.

Thanks

M.J.P.D.

Ilike to liqua-tan my squirrels.

M.J.P.D., I just flesh my squirrels and then liqua-tan them.If you use a dorsal incision I've noticed the stitches don't open up so bad when drying compared to when I use d.p.

DUST the little stuff

it will be fine
i tan deer size and larger
but im with George on the life of a d.p. mount
ive got um pretty old from the first few i did for myself
its pretty humid where i live and they have not deteriated
now that said they must be fleshed well and prep. work must be correct

dp

i have been dpin for over 30 yrs have never lost any mounts just dont pull on hair while drying