Hello,
I am at a bit of a loss. I have a racoon (last night) and know absolutely *nothing* about taxidermy. Can anybody suggest what I can do to at least get started on it (skinning, cleaning) to at least preserve it until I can gain a bit of knowledge? Also, if I do get it skinned, do I have to do anything special to preserve it intact head to tail? I figure I am working on a tight schedule since I'll probably be the next hide being prepared if I so much as suggest to my wife that I want to stick it in the freezer. Thanks so much in advance!
Jeff
offbeat_archives@msn.com
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You definately need to buy some time until you can gather some info
whether it be abook or video that tells how to split lips, eyes,nose,
ears,etc.You also need a game plan.Are you going to mount it?Are you
going to just do a pelt?You need to know this before you skin.Also if
it to be mounted you need to take the necessary measurement before
starting and before discarding the carcas.You also need some supply
catalogs to see how their forms are measured and whats available.
So..... wrap it up in a plastic bag and hide it in the freezer under
some other stuff when your wife is not around and if you get caught,
keep a straight face and deny it to the end.ha ha
hope this helps tootie
Make sure you have it salted down good till you get your instructions.
We can send anyone a free techical handbook That will walk you through the process. Basically you will need to pickle it degrease it with Kemal 4 neutralize it and Liqua Tan after it has drained for 2 hours. We do offer a Liqua Tan tanning kit that will work great for this all you will need besides the kit is Kemal 4. Contact us or go to our website at www.knoblochs.com we even have some new pictures of
customers pieces.
Mark
303-666-9045
i like to think that this site and its advice is for aspiring young taxidermists, and not to instruct folks who would like to avoid patronizing your your local taxidermist. sorry, thats how i feel.
Tootie,
Mission accomplished, when I hear a blood-curdling scream from the garage I know my cover has been blown. Now to decide what, exactly, I am going to do with it.
Mark,
Thanks so much for the direction. I will definitely be getting in contact through your website to request a handbook (and whatever else I might end up needing.
Steve,
Didn't mean to step on any toes here. Believe me, with my total lack of knowledge, the first thing I did was contacted my local taxidermist. Unfortunately he is inundated with deer heads at the moment and couldn't fit a coon into his schedule. The gent he referred me to has yet to return my call so my last ditch effort was to do a quick "Google" search, which brought me here. As it stands, at least I bought some time until I figure out what I am going to do but my local taxidermist was first and foremost in my attempts.
Thanks much, all!
Jeff
I dont think this site is just for aspiring,young taxidermist.I think its for anyone who wants to read it.As long as its public domain.How do you know Jeff wont fall in love with the art of taxidermy and go on to become the next Bill Yox?Not likely,but you never know.