To preserve my beautiful whitetail deer skin, I want to hang it on the wall instead of over my couch. Some say "rings" sewn on the back of the skin are best. I'm concerned about how it's appendages will hang. Any advice how to do this or what type of "rings" they are referring to? It's 5'x 3' and is simply hide with hair (no felt or backing). Should I have a taxidermist prepare it for me? If so, what would this normally cost? I'd appreciate expert advice, as this piece is "dear" to me.
JP
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J,
You can do most of it yourself. Go to the nearest fabric store and in the drapery section you'll find small plastic rings. Buy a bag. The use some very good polyester thread or better yet, Fireline fishing line. Sew the rings along the top edge of your hide where those "apendages" will likely flop over. Don't let the ring be exposed. Just tack it down with your thread so it fits right up to the edge of your hide. Then hang it.
One warning,however, the hide is likely soft tanned and it has oils in it. These oils will attract dirt like a magnet and will stain your walls if you have drywall or other porous coverings. When you clean the hair, be very gentle with it and only use a soft cloth with some good furniture polish sprayed ON THE CLOTH. The hair is brittle and will break.
If you're handy with a needle, you can put a fabric backing on your hide to protect your walls or you can take it to a taxidermist. I'd guess it would cost you around $100 to get the job done. It's not technical, but it IS time consuming. That's where your cost comes in.
tacking the hide to a piece of luane plywood. You could do this with staples, having cut your plywood to the shape of the hide. This would keep your edges from flopping over on you. Another advantage to this- you would only need one or two attachments to your wall, versus having to support each of the rings.