[rasorbackqq]

Thanks guys.
Too bad not many people here any more.
Finished up the first cat mount.
On my wall for now til I find a home for her.
Got a couple showing interested in NB and one in the city.

 

[rasorbackqq]

Finishing afternoon.

 

[greybeard]

Very nice !

 

[rasorbackqq]

Last order has arrived.
Got a kick in the nuts with customs. $71 on $400 spent.
Not sure how that works The big cat and otter was $500 and customs was $53.
Still one raccoon head to find in freezer.

Very wet cat.
Nose to base of tail was 34"

Heads for the hollow tree mounts

 

[rasorbackqq]

Practice rocks with home made rock mix. Basically spray foam or ridgid foam made into a rock shape and rock mix applied . Dry and paint to liking.

Just finished the big cat this morning . Get on to the wall get some pics and get it out of here. Payday soon.

 

[greybeard]

Looking good!

 

[rasorbackqq]

Cats done.... My wife not going to be happy when she gets home........ I took down her ceramic seasonal plates and this is our dining room.

 

[rasorbackqq]

Next project is something you haven't seen here before.
Roadkill male mink. I cant find a form to fit him so I will make one. This process is how I started way back in the 80s. Need the carcass, wire. excelsior (found inside old box springs mattresses) ,some foam or a carving wood and lots of thread.

One mink hit hard on inside but not damage to fur and a wire for back bone

Excelsier

foam for head

Pull excelsior apart

Bend wire same distance hips to shoulder

Add excelsior , wrap with thread . Measuring around carcass as I build.

Carving the head . Think this is my least favourite part of taxidermy. My last head I carved was in the 80s a squirrel head. Today first time with foam. Was alot better then cedar but will have issues when mink is mounted posing the head and neck I'm thinking.

 

[rasorbackqq]

Looking not to bad.

Push head on foam to correct length . Add excelsior to built up neck.

Next thing is tan the mink insert wires for 4 legs and built up with excelsior. See you in a couple days.

 

[buckonly]

the cat looks good,your sure know how to stay busy

 

[greybeard]

So is this more of an old school way to do this?
Looks good.

 

[rasorbackqq]

Yes this is how all taxidermy was done before plastics and foam. Old stuff they used a real skull and built off that. 2x4 for a neck stuff with pine shavings

 

[rasorbackqq]

Mounted a deer head in 2012. Guess it was a recape. Client bought a house and in attic there was a deer head.

Lead sheet used in the ear as a liner

Glass eyes

 

[rasorbackqq]

Real skull with jaw and pine shavings as filler . Cover in plastor.
1 x6 rough for a neck

Donor deer cape

Finished deer

deer was shot through ear into neck for a kill

After talking with old American taxidermist I was told this mount was around 70 years old.

 

[greybeard]

What a difference! excellent work!

 

[rasorbackqq]

Couple raccoon heads ready for the wall.

 

[rasorbackqq]

Been slow to post this season.
Few of my works completed and sent home.

 

[rasorbackqq]

 

[superslickie]

I like the owl

 

[greybeard]

All very nice but I like the owl best as well.