Taxidermy "How to"

[Guest SUNTZU]

I've always wanted to know how to do this. Thanks!

[ShaunM]

I've always wanted to know how to do this. Thanks!

Same here, I have attempted but ha ha thats a whole different story.

[DaveS]

As the hide remains in the pickle and the tan, it will remain supple. After the hide is "oiled" and worked over the beam (breaking), and as it dries it will firm up as leather. Unless a deer hide is shaved/sanded very thin, they will never be as supple as say a bobcat, rabbit or such. Oiling and breaking are the secrets to a soft hide.

[DaveS]

hunting101: that hide looks good. For educational purposes, you really didn't have to flesh the hide as well as you did. It would have came off easier after the first salting. Good job on the tail! Great job though! Got to love that shot placement too!

WD

[Mike]

It only took about 45 minutes to do. Most everything came off when I skinned it. I just had some fat near the shoulders and tail and a bit of muscle across the middle back to take off. I did salt everything before I did any fleshing at all. It made everything stick together very nice and come off it out too much trouble. I just worked the point of my knife in a circular motion and made lots of little sweeps at the edge of the fat and worked my way through it.

Edited January 15, 2009 by Mike

[Mike]

Got to love that shot placement too!

Would you belive that I shot her with a .45 at about 30 yards? Got her right behind both shoulders and through both lungs.

-Mike

[DaveS]

Awesome shot!

WD

[DaveS]

OK...need an update on how everyones projects are going!

WD

Edited January 16, 2009 by wd-40

[Mike]

Still waiting on chemicals.

Had a question on trimming the hide to final dimensions. Near the neck where the hair points backwards is there any way to dress the edge a little where it doesn't look like Its been trimmed back?

Thanks for all the help so far Dave!

[DaveS]

I always trim mine straight across pretty much even with the front shoulders. Maybe if you could show me in a picture, I could help you. I want everyone to have a nice hide.

Dave (WD)

[DaveS]

Maybe I could e-mail someone a picture of a trimmed hide, maybe they could post the picture on here for me, so everyone could get some ideas. I think it may help!

Dave

[memphismason]

Mike,

What are planning on doing with the hide after you finish? Wall decor?

[Mike]

Either that or a rug. Still undecided.

[memphismason]

Thats cool. My God-Mother had one on a wall at her cabin at Sardis Lake. Her dad had done it himself. It looked pretty neat on the wall in that Cabin.

[war4peace]

The hide so far...

That looks very nice. I tried drying my own hide last year but i failed .

[Mike]

Chemicals came in today. I have it soaking in 10 gallons of water, 5 oz of acid and 10 lbs of salt.

The instructions said to wait about 3 days. Here we go!

[war4peace]

Would you belive that I shot her with a .45 at about 30 yards? Got her right behind both shoulders and through both lungs.

-Mike

That's awesome how you got him with a handgun. Did the .45 acp drop him in the tracks? I want to try shooting a deer with a .45 next season. Good luck with the hide. i can;t wait to see what it looks like finished . I bet it'll be as soft a baby's behind.

[Mike]

She ran about thirty yards but with mush for lungs she dropped pretty quick.

[DaveS]

Keep us updated on your project!

Dave (wd)

[DaveS]

Updates???? Well, my rabbit skins are ready to be put in to a new pair of mocs. All I have to do now is make some new mocs!! I started a cow hide the other day for a friend...we'll see how that goes!

Dave (wd)

[Mike]

Keep us updated on your project!

Dave (wd)

I'm in michigan right now, she's still in acid pickling until I get back. The instructions said it should be ok up to four weeks in it. When I get back I'll neutralize and start tanning.

[ShaunM]

oh the suspence

[Mike]

She's tacked up oiled and drying.

[war4peace]

Oooooooh purty .

[ShaunM]

looking great.