Backpack Mount

I’m currently working on a pack mount and it’s very labor intensive. I made the frame with stained oak and 5mm hemp rope. I also buy surplus straps and props from eBay for cheap. I’d suggest doubling the price of a regular shoulder mount. Pictures coming soon.

 

Not sure why anyone would use a wet tan for this , as it would take forever to dry and could mold up , if you let it dry then it’s like rolling up cardboard. Dry tan , sweat the head only to mount and you can rollthe hide up at anytime with no issues. JMO

 

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What do you mean sweat the head? I am worried a soft tan from the tannery will mess up the face and ears when mounting the head in it. I have a sika deer to do. I usually only use 1/2 cape and wet tan them. So far all have been good. Thanks for the input

 

That makes no sense, bears rams elk moose a lot of animals are dry tanned for mounting . Most L/S hides are dry tanned, I just got a L/S BigHorn back to be mounted . Heck it wasn’t that long ago tannery’s didn’t even offer wet tanning . Guess you haven’t been doing it that long . Once you soak a head down it’s no different then a wet tan .

 

I have been ask to do a pack mount and I tan my own hides… I use the McKenzie tan.. can I do the same thing or do I have to do it differently.. I’m not sure where to start… normally I do salt then acid soak then tan… so I guess that’s a wet tan because I don’t have to rehydrate

 

I to tan all my deer capes but for something like this i would send out for a dry tan , you could send out the full hide minus head , for a flat , tan head at shop as you do normally, but just be careful when putting it all together it doesn’t look like you cut head off .

 

It only makes sense to use a dry tan for the body skin

 

I use a wet tan. The way I do it is create a block of foam shaped like a folded cape, slide the cape on just like I would on a shoulder mount. Looks realistic and looks like you have the whole body hide. Took the idea from the revolution taxidermy bear pack mount kit. My first bear pack was a wet tan and had no issues, in fact I got a blue ribbon in VA and NC with it last year.

 

Looks very nice , great job , congrats on your blues , think it be a bit different then a deer hide

 

Thanks! Now that I think about it you’re right! Bears, especially spring thick furred ones are more forgiving.
I have seen people use galvanized mesh folded inside the wet hide to keep it folded and ease the drying. But it’s easier to use a dry tanned cape. In my case it was a last minute customer request, so I had to overcome the issue and change plans last minute.

 

SOME THING DIFFERENT, WHAT THE CUSTOMER WANTED. I DID CHANGE THE STRAPS TO AN OLD ROPE. EARS COULD OF BEEN DONE DIFFERENTLY, HEAD/NOSE COULD OF BEEN DOWN MORE BUT DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY ANTLERS SAT. EYES COULD OF BEEN CLOSED BUT THAT IS WHAT THEY WANTED.

 

Did a wet tan on this one. Want to make sure there dry but not to hard that they don't roll up.

 

You do not need a full hide. You can use a long cape and the " Hide Roll Pillow " from Revolution Taxidermy supply ( now owned by McKenzie). They also offer everything you need for a pack mount.

 

Looks good and I will agree most heads being packed out for a mount are just the cape , not the full hide .