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mold in ears

Discussion in 'Deer and Gameheads' started by Slate Run, Aug 17, 2017.

  1. Aug 17, 2017 #1
    Slate Run

    Slate Run Member

    224
    2
    I have noticed mold in my deer ears when I go to finish them. I do my taxidermy work in my basement and have a dehumidifier running most of the time. I use earliners and remove the cartilage from my ears but leave the ball of the ear on which is put down into the plastic earliner. The last few deer that I went to finish I have noticed some green mold growth down on the ball of the ear. I use Roman 555 for my hide paste. Would it be the excess 555 that is molding or would be the ball of the ear itself? Have considered removing the ball of the ear on my next mounts but not sure on how that would work and look as far as mounting the ear and just having an open ear inside. Any input on this or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Sprayed a little Mold-X down in the ears but don't know if this will take care of it since it is already there.
     
  3. Aug 17, 2017 #2
    dcooper

    dcooper Member

    254
    0
    How long does it take for your mounts to dry? I do the same procedure as you, earliners, Roman 555, etc. I've never experienced any issues. My dehumidifier runs continuously at 35-40% humidity. I leave the entire ear in place as you and never noticed an issue. I use wet tans but they aren't excessively wet when mounted.
     

  5. Aug 17, 2017 #3
    JerseyJays

    JerseyJays Well-Known Member

    1,295
    81
    I used to bag my deer heads loosely to dry slowly and this time of the year theybwoukd get mold on the fur around the earbutts.. it would wipe right off and not grow back, but I stopped bagging them.
    Do you bag yours?

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
     
  6. Aug 18, 2017 #4
    Tanglewood Taxidermy

    Tanglewood Taxidermy Well-Known Member

    9,016
    8,621
    dallas oregon
    I only had this happen when I left the inner ear cartilage in and rarely at that.. You can remove it and use an earliner with the inner ear detail molded into it. When I started doing that, I never experienced mold again.
     
  7. Aug 18, 2017 #5
    Slate Run

    Slate Run Member

    224
    2
    Jersey Jay I do not bag my deer heads so I know this is not the problem. dcooper I would say within in a wk my mounts are fairly dry but the inner ear is always the last to dry and usually takes longer. I may not have my dehumidifier set low enough. I also use a wet tanned cape but like yours they are not overly wet
     
  8. Aug 18, 2017 #6
    Tom Maul

    Tom Maul Active Member

    380
    73
    Belleville, Illinois
    I work in my basement. I use a dehumidifier during the warm months. I try to stay at 50% humidity. Use a digital humidity monitor.
     
  9. Aug 18, 2017 #7
    livbucks

    livbucks Well-Known Member

    30,142
    23,099
    Use the Eppley liners with inner ear detail and trim your cartilage off. Even if it doesnt mold it will shrink bad and turn black if left in.