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tearing hide on a whitetail cape...??

Discussion in 'Beginners' started by TheMuddyMoose, Feb 22, 2010.

  1. Feb 22, 2010 #1
    TheMuddyMoose

    TheMuddyMoose Full time Sheriff, Sgt. K9 - Part time taxidermist

    17
    1
    New Hampshire
    Hi guys. Anyone have any input on how to deal with a whitetail mount I am replacing a set of antlers onto, and the cape (tanned) is tearing apart like wet tissue after hydrating and attempting to restich. Mount done by another taxidermist, and don't know how to proceed, even let it dry up a bit overnight, still tearing/no integrity. Any help/ideas?!?
     
  3. Feb 22, 2010 #2
    dsbragg

    dsbragg New Member

    7,190
    1
    Jacksonville FL
    Hopefully you had the talk with your customer that this could be a possibility. You never know what your in for when doing something like this with a mounted animal. I would think a remount with a new cape might be in order. If you can't sew it, it's not your fault so to speak. Wish I had the magic fix for you.
     

  5. Feb 22, 2010 #3
    Gatorjaw

    Gatorjaw New Member

    1,652
    2
    Is it a old mount? Sometimes it is better to dowel them in in stead of pulling skullcap and all. Good experience should be involved in both procedures. Good luck!
     
  6. Feb 22, 2010 #4
    muscle20

    muscle20 New Member

    1,392
    0
    The reason it is weak and tearing is because its the case of dry rot in this case the skin is useless, talk with your client and explain that the cape will have to be replaced at know fault of your own , there is nothing you can do to strengthen the skin life is over !
     
  7. Feb 23, 2010 #5
    TheMuddyMoose

    TheMuddyMoose Full time Sheriff, Sgt. K9 - Part time taxidermist

    17
    1
    New Hampshire
    Thanks guys, reassuring anyway. Should have known something was up when I saw discoloration over original skullcap. Mount was only 4 years old too!
     
  8. Feb 23, 2010 #6
    cyclone

    cyclone Posts: 400001

    4,364
    702
    West Virginia
    Would you happen to know how the hide was preserved?

    DP'd, commercially tanned, home tanned? Not that I could help you but I am very curious as to why hides "fall apart".

    If possible squeeze some of the water out of the hide and touch a pH strip to it. I'm interested in the pH.