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- Thread starter dryan
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diverdave
Well-Known Member
I started on a squirrel, after looking at utube and getting a book. John Hallet Taxidermy is very reasonable in price and gives great advice. I have done 3 Roe now and actually find them easier than small animals. The results are, to my eye quite acceptable and although they are not as visually stunning as the expert ones i see here it is simply down to my lack of experience and that i dont have all the right finishing products. I found out about a series of waxes that add a great degree of life and realism today so will be getting these in the new year and improving the two roe I still have.
I have my first red stag all caped out in the freezer and plan to mount it in the holidays. I understand that it will be more difficult, dut to the size and weight/thickness of everything but i am happy to give it a go and if i get it wrong i will just have an excuse to get another day out next year.
There are a few forums and websites giving good advice but there is a huge ammount of utube infor and it really inspired and educated me, it is a great starting point
D
I have my first red stag all caped out in the freezer and plan to mount it in the holidays. I understand that it will be more difficult, dut to the size and weight/thickness of everything but i am happy to give it a go and if i get it wrong i will just have an excuse to get another day out next year.
There are a few forums and websites giving good advice but there is a huge ammount of utube infor and it really inspired and educated me, it is a great starting point
D
diverdave
Well-Known Member
No Bother. This is no 2. It is an older picture and since then i have done some work on the mouth and nose. I think it has improved it. It was a really good buck, not measured or anything as i am not interested but i think it is good. I have since learned about some waxes that really make a difference so will order this in th new year, when i think they have a chance to get to me.
It has a better wall mount now, fitting it better and the wires in the ears have been clipped away. The mouth and nos are far better now and when the light is better i will add no 3, a smaller buck but probably better mounted. i made a better job of the ears and mouth / nose on no2.
No 1 is scary and a pal has it!
It has a better wall mount now, fitting it better and the wires in the ears have been clipped away. The mouth and nos are far better now and when the light is better i will add no 3, a smaller buck but probably better mounted. i made a better job of the ears and mouth / nose on no2.
No 1 is scary and a pal has it!
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diverdave
Well-Known Member
I am sure an expert will be along soon, but i tend to potter away with them, improving them as i learn more, and then move on to the next one. Once they have dried out the skin is hard as wood, so just get them into the right position, pin everything in place and them dry them out. Once they dry i believe you can paint the detail, use these waxes i have just heard about and give them the illusion of life.
It is not difficult to do at the standard above, but i think to get them better is far more difficult. But above is good enough for my uses and i am happy with them.
I think practice and tuition would be needed to make a really good job
It is not difficult to do at the standard above, but i think to get them better is far more difficult. But above is good enough for my uses and i am happy with them.
I think practice and tuition would be needed to make a really good job
diverdave
Well-Known Member
from memory the eyes are about £7, lead ears about the same, and the form itself is i think about £50. You also need a little clay and a strong needle and thread.
Finally some salt and some tanning fluid to paint on, this was about £20 but it goes a very long way and i have used way under half on 3 deer. Again, the experts will i am sure find problems with the technique and result, but i am happy.
Finally some salt and some tanning fluid to paint on, this was about £20 but it goes a very long way and i have used way under half on 3 deer. Again, the experts will i am sure find problems with the technique and result, but i am happy.
AlbaTaxidermy
Well-Known Member
Hi there dave,some advice if you want,there is only one or two forms with jht that is any good and they would be the ones that he buys in,there is not many good forms in uk,it makes the difference,also take picts of the deers head close up in different angles for reference when putting together, nose is 2 out o 10ears 2 out o 10,eye 5 and antlers set,7.not to bad for 1st,u only get better from looking at your previous ones,ive seen worse on here and they are profesional,he he,have a look at monarch and see his ,you cant get better for roe,cant give to much away, bon courage,
diverdave
Well-Known Member
Hi Alba
Cheers for that (i think) I am happy with the results and you are right, each one has been better. I do it because i enjoy it and because it is a memory of a great day out. I am doing a red stag next and hope it is an improvement again. I never intend to sell them, they are just for me and my stalking pals.
I learned a lot on my last two, and the last one is way better, particularly the mouth and nose. I think i have also cracked doing the ears as well, they are actually far easier than i first thought.
The next stage for me is to start using the waxes that give a more life like look to the nose and eyes. The one in the picture has since been painted and i think it is far better, well i am happy with it.
I have looked at Monarchs work, quite splendid, i think he may have done one or two before. I doubt i will ever be that good, probably dont actually aspire to be as i dont really have the time, if i was that good i would probably stop repairing waders and start doing that!
Cheers
Dave
Cheers for that (i think) I am happy with the results and you are right, each one has been better. I do it because i enjoy it and because it is a memory of a great day out. I am doing a red stag next and hope it is an improvement again. I never intend to sell them, they are just for me and my stalking pals.
I learned a lot on my last two, and the last one is way better, particularly the mouth and nose. I think i have also cracked doing the ears as well, they are actually far easier than i first thought.
The next stage for me is to start using the waxes that give a more life like look to the nose and eyes. The one in the picture has since been painted and i think it is far better, well i am happy with it.
I have looked at Monarchs work, quite splendid, i think he may have done one or two before. I doubt i will ever be that good, probably dont actually aspire to be as i dont really have the time, if i was that good i would probably stop repairing waders and start doing that!
Cheers
Dave
AlbaTaxidermy
Well-Known Member
I only mean well for you,once you get better you will want to do your fist 1 again as it will bug you,good forms are important to help detail,best oh luck.
ROB. www.albahighlandtaxidermy.com
ROB. www.albahighlandtaxidermy.com
diverdave
Well-Known Member
As a footnote to my stalking trip i decided to mount the trophy and it has been in my freezer since last year. I ordered a form, eyes, ears and a couple of bits and pieces a couple of weeks ago and spent a very pleasant sunday preping the hide and form.
I mounted it the next day and have been tweaking it since then. it is finally ready and today i proudly put on the dining room wall, along with a 10 pointer and medal buck. However, i think enough is enough and understanding Mrs diver suggests her patience will not stand another!
I know it is not perfect but i did it myself and am happy with the results. One ear was badly ripped - a previous battle no doubt, and the other was not the best either. It is my first (and probably last) red stag mount, i have nowhere else to put another and it was probably a bit big for me to do.
I mounted it the next day and have been tweaking it since then. it is finally ready and today i proudly put on the dining room wall, along with a 10 pointer and medal buck. However, i think enough is enough and understanding Mrs diver suggests her patience will not stand another!
I know it is not perfect but i did it myself and am happy with the results. One ear was badly ripped - a previous battle no doubt, and the other was not the best either. It is my first (and probably last) red stag mount, i have nowhere else to put another and it was probably a bit big for me to do.
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