|
Post by weasel on Oct 17, 2006 22:11:33 GMT -5
Where should I start.I know basically what I'm going to taxidermy.Rabbit,squirrel,coyote,maybe deer and misc. birds.
I can acces squirrels fairly easy but I useually just skin them and keep pelt.eat what I want and feed my "hounds" (weinner dogs that retreive rabbit,squirrel and misc.) They are better than they sound We train large dogs but its easy for these to go into brush and they have enough power needed to kill but not so much they rip apart my pelts.
I'm going to try to get a few videos and read as much as possible before I just start,But I'd like pointers and things maybe even videos if you upload them to computer.
Thanks for any help or pointers Weasel.
|
|
|
Post by trkyman on Oct 18, 2006 5:31:18 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by riverrat on Oct 18, 2006 8:45:05 GMT -5
Hear is a post I made about a month ago, and we now have a video library that may help you get started.
Re: what should a begineras myself get for tools « Reply #3 on Sept 20, 2006, 8:02pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I tell every one that post questions like yours or along the line of this one the same thing "Take Your Time". First their are a lot of taxidermist that are in the business of selling supplies as well as doing taxi work, you do not need everything they are selling. Their is reading material, and a lot of videos for sale regarding taxidermy, you do not need all of them. Ask questions on hear, then ask more questions. We are hear and this forum is relay a friendly group. We have a lot of younger members as well as some old farts like me. See if any one has books or videos they can recommend and maybe swap. Their are a lot of house hold tools you can use. The videos Nina has been putting together are a lot of help, and she will tell you, what she is showing is not the only way things can be done. Again "Take Your Time" We have seen time and time again taxidermist enter this trade, spend a hole lot of money, buy a bunch of junk they don't need, and crash and burn in a year or two. Welcome aboard and enjoy
|
|
|
Post by weasel on Oct 18, 2006 18:17:53 GMT -5
Hey thanks for all the info.--Ya I figured it was tedious work ,But I'm willing to spend some money and quit a bit of time I'm gonna look into a video or two on small game due to its mainly what I'm going to do I think or at least untill I sort of get the hang of it.I ordered a catalog of supplies and such and will definately research before I go coughing up my cash on stuff I may not need.
Well thanks for the info.Sadly I don't have videos to swap or anything right now but I will pay someone for a video or will send shipping and stuff to get it here and back (planning on joining the video club thing once I get at least one or two of my own)
Just wandering which animal I should start with I was thinking a rabbit or a squrrel any real preferance or reason I should go either way,And one other question whats the best method of killing when going to taxidermy.Useually I don't want holes in my pelts makes the harder to sell so I use 22HP rds and get headshots 90% of the time I've also tried pellet guns , But I hate injuring my rabbit or squrrel enough where they limp home and die in a hole somewhere a couple days later.
|
|
|
Post by riverrat on Oct 18, 2006 18:54:00 GMT -5
Rabbits are a pain where the sun doesn't shine, skin is to thin for a first attempt. Some people start on squirrel, I wouldn't recommend it, to small for first try. A fox is larger not a bad starter, raccoon another nice starter (just a lot of fat). 22 heart shot , if you have to it will give you practice on sowing
|
|
andyb
Trophy Hunter
2 bucks
Posts: 703
|
Post by andyb on Oct 18, 2006 20:07:23 GMT -5
i started on my first squirrel after about ten i got a finished one. i broke tails, ripped feet off, cut eyes open too big,etc. they are a cheap strong skinned (for the most part) animal
|
|
|
Post by weasel on Oct 18, 2006 20:21:03 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by riverrat on Oct 18, 2006 23:30:55 GMT -5
I have to say it again"Take Your Time" get some training videos. I don't think the guy with the squirrel head will get his $0.99 for it, with $2.00 in eyes up in smoke. If you want to do a squirrel shoulder mount they look nice, can be worked in to scenes and are great practice, but again do some reading or watch some videos and get an idea as to what you are doing. I get my rodent eyes for pennies, If I can find a photo I'll insert it
|
|
|
Post by circleh on Oct 19, 2006 9:32:37 GMT -5
Another idea for a first timer would be a ground hog. It wasn't my first but they are everywhere most people I know shoot them then toss them in the woods. They are fatty though. My first mount was a deer but I had an experienced taxidermist watching over me. Made a big difference. Ask around someone might be willing to help you get your basics down. thats what I did and now I have a very good friend in the field as well.
|
|
|
Post by weasel on Oct 19, 2006 11:06:57 GMT -5
Ya not many peopel to help me but I'm gonna get videos and keep asking questions.I wasn't counting on selling the squirrel shoulder mount just thought it might give me a little practice before I take on a whole animal.I found an ad for ground hogs I may ask about them.
|
|
|
Post by circleh on Oct 19, 2006 11:54:34 GMT -5
Give it a try and let us know how it goes. If you have a question ask here I'm sure all are willing to help. Don't be afraid to ask a question even if you think it is stupid. I guarantee at least one of us has had the same questions at one time or another. Riverrat had a lot of good suggestions so read the post again. Oh and the most important thing is to have fun. Good luck. Tony
|
|
|
Post by eastartaxidermy on Oct 19, 2006 22:35:55 GMT -5
The squirrel head/ shoulder mount that you were speaking of on ebay are very easy. I do alot of them during slow times and have had them auction off for over 80 bucks. Not a bad profit for about a 4 to 5 dollar investment in supplies. Save the rump skin and mount the rump also, sometimes they have fetched over 80 bucks on ebay as well. Both mounts are easy to do.
|
|
|
Post by eastartaxidermy on Oct 19, 2006 22:58:18 GMT -5
weasel,
one other thing, mike boehley has great specimens and is really fair priced on small critters. i will find his email addy and post it sometime this weekend. he is a great guy and i enjoy doing business with him.
|
|
andyb
Trophy Hunter
2 bucks
Posts: 703
|
Post by andyb on Oct 20, 2006 5:45:04 GMT -5
weasel, one other thing, mike boehley has great specimens and is really fair priced on small critters. i will find his email addy and post it sometime this weekend. he is a great guy and i enjoy doing business with him. Thank you eastartaxidermy that is my dad and his email address is Mboehley@hotmail.com
|
|
|
Post by riverrat on Oct 20, 2006 8:09:44 GMT -5
Eastar did you take a look at the link weasel posted? I don't see anyone biding on that mount. I do a lot of yard rats with the freeze dryer and I have never looked at ebay is their relay a market their?
|
|