Ed Kennell 35,767 #26 Posted December 8, 2017 2 hours ago, WHX12 said: I'd like to see how you prep (tan??) the cape. The cape is in the freezer now Jim, but when I thaw it for mounting, I'll get some photos. All the pro taxidermists that I know use a liquid tan process and most send the capes out to a tannery to have this done. I used a dry preservative consisting of salt, borax, and alum. Recently, I have been buying a premixed preservative from McKenzie. The process is to remove the cape from the animal as normal. Then turn the ears, split the lips and remove any flesh from the hide. At this time, I also sew up any holes in the cape using waxed chord and a baseball stich. The preservative is then rubbed into the cape. The cape is then rolled up hair out and frozen till I am ready to mount it on the form. It should be left frozen for several weeks to allow the preservative to penetrate the hide. After thawing, the old preservative is shaken off, and a new layer is applied. The cape is then mounted on the form. I have mounted 20+ deer,1 antelope and many turkey, pheasants fox , raccoon, weasel, and squirrel. I used this process to mount my first archery buck in 1969 and it is still intact with no hair slippage. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,767 #27 Posted December 9, 2017 Waiting for the snow to stop, so got the horns and eyes mounted on the form and replaced that broken off left brow tine. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,767 #28 Posted January 9, 2018 On 12/8/2017 at 9:29 AM, WHX14 said: If you get the time Ed I'd like to see how you prep (tan??) the cape. Here Ya go Jim. @WHX14 I thawed the cape yesterday and did some fleshing and sewing up some hole and fitted the ear liners, then rubbed in new preservative and rolled it up till this morning. This is what I did today. There Ya go Jim.....Now, you can mount your own deer. I leave it in a cool place to dry for 2-3 months, then some touch up is required around the eyes where the lids shrink and pull away from the glass eyes. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,043 #29 Posted January 10, 2018 Ed you could give classes . Amazing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
r356c 375 #30 Posted January 10, 2018 The world can never have too many boxing squirrels Ed. Just saying in case you are looking for another project... The hammer price for the complete set of stuffed, boxing squirrels was $70,000.“Afterwards I had to leave the room and go to the bathroom and think about what I’d just done,” Christopher said.He’d just paid $70,000 for eight dead squirrels wearing tiny boxing gloves. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,739 #31 Posted January 10, 2018 Looks like there's money in the squirrel boxing business as well! 16 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Now, you can mount your own deer. I don't know about that Ed, looks like you have to be somewhat of a seamstress along with SOME artistic abilities and a TON of patience. All of which I have none! I 'm afraid I'd end up with a franken mount! I can do a mean antlers only mount tho. I'll have to see if I can scrounge some pics. Thanks for sharing yours! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,767 #32 Posted January 10, 2018 10 hours ago, r356c said: The world can never have too many boxing squirrels Ed. Just saying in case you are looking for another project... The hammer price for the complete set of stuffed, boxing squirrels was $70,000.“Afterwards I had to leave the room and go to the bathroom and think about what I’d just done,” Christopher said.He’d just paid $70,000 for eight dead squirrels wearing tiny boxing gloves. Hmmm, Wonder what my Foot collection is worth? BIG FOOT The SCHNOOZ Mr HOPE ZEE BROS INGRO The Gang 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,767 #33 Posted February 19, 2018 During my hibernation, I finished the mount and found a place on the wall. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
