What is the preferred method of preserving a coon skin to be mounted on a life size mannikin? I have heard it can be mounted in it's raw state, after being fleshed and soaked in Coleman fuel, but I am reluctant to try this. Thanks.
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You can never go wrong with a good ol' tanned skin
I blame the birdbrains for Coleman fuel ever being in a discussion about taxidermy. Coleman fuel is UNLEADED GAS. It works great for gasoline required equipment but NOTHING in taxidermy should be involved with weedeaters and lawnmowers. There are several methods to preserve your coon, tanning being the best and none of which is "RAW".
They may have used the coleman fuel to degrease it, but it needs to be tanned properly if you want it to turn out. If you are going to spend all that time and money on a mount, have someone tan it for you before mounting. Tanning can be very involved and some of my early attempts didn't turn out. You might want to learn to tan, but it's not for everyone. You might want to focus your attention on taxidermy for now and learn to tan later. Many great taxidermists send all their skins to a tannery. Hope this helps.....Steve
That's what I need to hear. Thank you all for this site and it's wealth of information.