Bean Counters 2014 Arizona Bull

[Bean Counter]

So this being my first shoulder mount I was too ignorant to ask the guys this question. Is it norm for there to be a 3" ridge  on the hide over the snout? I think ive seen this before and it looks as  though it's supposed to simulate a blood vessel  the paranoid voices in my head tell me that the hide got bunched up and stuck together in the mounting of the hide. I don't know if glue is used or not which would cause it to be stuck... 

[fishngamereaper]

Not an obvious flaw like bad stitching or poor eye sets. I know some taxis add little things to achieve realism. One taxi I use puts super glue drops on the whiskers. Looks cool. I think the main thing is do you like the overall mount. From the pic you showed it looks pretty good.

[jackelope]

So this being my first shoulder mount I was too ignorant to ask the guys this question. Is it norm for there to be a 3" ridge  on the hide over the snout? I think ive seen this before and it looks as  though it's supposed to simulate a blood vessel  the paranoid voices in my head tell me that the hide got bunched up and stuck together in the mounting of the hide. I don't know if glue is used or not which would cause it to be stuck... 

Are you talking about the crease looking ridge right above the nose?

[Bean Counter]

Yeath

[jackelope]

 

[Bean Counter]

Yeah I don't see anything like it on yours. So this should get fixed?

[jackelope]

Yeah I don't see anything like it on yours. So this should get fixed?

Those aren't mine. Not even close. Here's mine.

[Bean Counter]

  you need to get down here for 20 minutes so I can put you on the bull in my avatar

[Bean Counter]

Here's the rest of him.

[blacktail378]

If its what im looking at maybe its a scar in the hide?

[Bean Counter]

I don't remember there being a scar. But he was on 'roid rage and screaming his head off at a couple other bulls that I had to chose from in the moment of truth 

I cut a 3mm hole under his eye when caping and hat was my highest fear.

[kentrek]

Hard to tell what's going on there...

Awesome bull tho 

[Kuduman]

OP

What did the Taxidermist say about it when you asked him.....Or did you even bring it up ?

[Bean Counter]

I didn't. I'll ask him when I pick it up in a few days. I didn't want to look stupid 

[jackelope]

Is that a Coues in the background?
Wow..

That crease/scar/ridge whatever you call it doesn't look like it belongs.
 

[Kuduman]

OK My Bad

I assumed that you had already picked up your mount. Often times I have customers come in and look at their mount prior to it being finished so its possible that it wont be an issue when you go pick it up.

If were looking at the same thing on the very bridge of the muzzle I can tell you first hand that I have never put or seen any taxidermist accentuate any veins in that area.  On the sides on the muzzle is a different story but I'm assuming were talking about the very top of the muzzle.

Tagging

Kuduman

[Bean Counter]

They said its ready. it wouldn't fit in my truck with the camper shell so I have to go back without it and some rachet straps. yes we're talking about the one on top. I hope its not too late to ask them to fix it.

[Kuduman]

Its most likely a repair from a hole either from the fleshing or shaving process. in either case I'm sure what you see is the best they could do.
If you absolutely cant  live with it you need to discuss it with the taxi before you pay for it and leave the shop with them thinking all is well.

On a side note I've been in the taxidermy biz for 17 years and I have no problem with clients questioning something about a mount I've done because  most of the time its a simple explanation. its implied that they have a limited knowledge base  about the taxidermy process hence why their in my shop. Most clients openly admit that they know very little about the taxidermy process and yet others act as if they would be doing the mount themselves if they only had the time.  The later is a very small % of my clients.

This is what prompted my earlier question about what the taxidermist might have indicated what caused the flaw in the bridge of the muzzle. Only an experienced taxidermist or in this case the actual taxidermist can tell you exactly  what happened to the hide in that area. the rest would either be professional opinion or one of the before mentioned self proclaimed experts.

THANKS for leaving the taxidermist's name out of it that doesn't always happen on here.

Kuduman

[Old Man Yager]

I didn't. I'll ask him when I pick it up in a few days. I didn't want to look stupid 

I wouldn't worry about looking stupid, you paid a lot of money for that, and it should meet your expectations!!

[CAMPMEAT]

Yeah I don't see anything like it on yours. So this should get fixed?

Those aren't mine. Not even close. Here's mine.

I want one..............

[Bean Counter]

I didn't. I'll ask him when I pick it up in a few days. I didn't want to look stupid 

I wouldn't worry about looking stupid, you paid a lot of money for that, and it should meet your expectations!!

If you absolutely cant  live with it you need to discuss it with the taxi before you pay for it and leave the shop with them thinking all is well.

Ok thanks guys. I'll call them tomorrow and express my concerns. It buggs me a little. I'm just dumb enough to mess with it myself after obsessing over it for a few months. 

[Magnum_Willys]

Looks like either a battle scar or the hide got almost cut through there during caping so the hairs are stickin at an angle. 

Kind of a catch 22 to fix - probably have to slice all the way through and glue hide in place hoping it doesn't look worse than it is.

I would call it a battle scar and enjoy a great looking bull.

[Bigshooter]

Gives it character.

[Bean Counter]

I appreciate all your insights, Kman.

Its most likely a repair from a hole either from the fleshing or shaving process. in either case I'm sure what you see is the best they could do.
If you absolutely cant  live with it you need to discuss it with the taxi before you pay for it and leave the shop with them thinking all is well.

I'm pretty sure I didn't damage that area of the hide when caping. Then again I got to that part of the cape around 0500 after a long, long day and night. Bull was arrowed at 18:30--almost 12 hours prior.

On a side note I've been in the taxidermy biz for 17 years and I have no problem with clients questioning something about a mount I've done because  most of the time its a simple explanation. its implied that they have a limited knowledge base  about the taxidermy process hence why their in my shop. Most clients openly admit that they know very little about the taxidermy process and yet others act as if they would be doing the mount themselves if they only had the time.  The later is a very small % of my clients.

This is what prompted my earlier question about what the taxidermist might have indicated what caused the flaw in the bridge of the muzzle. Only an experienced taxidermist or in this case the actual taxidermist can tell you exactly  what happened to the hide in that area. the rest would either be professional opinion or one of the before mentioned self proclaimed experts.

I think it was good medicine for me to do a couple of skull cleanings myself. I'm a cheapskate and like to DIY whenever I can but $100+ for a deer and $300+ for an elk is a bargain after seeing what goes into it to do it right.

Plus.. The smell

THANKS for leaving the taxidermist's name out of it that doesn't always happen on here.

Kuduman

Yeah this is a problem with the online culture and unfortunately our forum is not immune. People will say things online that they would never say in person. Personally I support the right to voice complaints online even to naming the business eventually. But that's step 8 or 9 if 10 were filing a lawsuit and 0-1 is where I'm at with just asking questions and GIVING A SMALL BUSINESS SEVERAL CHANCES TO WORK IT OUT BEFORE AIRING DIRTY LAUNDRY ONLINE!   

Some might have noticed my references to Apple as 'Crapple Macintrash' in the other gear forum. I had a manufacturers defect in my ridiculously expensive MacBook 'Pro' that was more wide spread than Apple would admit to. I did my research, requested free repair to various levels of the company, and only after emailing Tim Cook a lengthy, respectful email and getting told to pound sand by one of his executive team members did I turn up the heat on the rhetoric knob. Fast forward a year and now apple is most likely going to lose a class action lawsuit that alleges deception and false advertising and being that they're now recalling my machine for free repair, it seems as though they're finally coming clean on the issue.

I did a fair amount of research on my guys and had previously swapped a cape for a skull cleaning and they seem like decent  guys. It will be tough to hear if it were in fact my fault as I think i got that part of the caping right but as I said I was quite tired by that point. I'll let you know what happens.

Stay tuned for updates.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Do you have a after kill pick to compare too? 

[Bean Counter]

Ooh good idea.

Best I have of that side of the head.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Hard to tell from that pick, call it a scar and move on! 

[Dan-o]

Wouldn't bother me.

GREAT BULL.

Nice mount.

[WAcoueshunter]

Wouldn't bother me.

GREAT BULL.

Nice mount.

Yeah, I agree.  I wouldn't think twice about it either.  Great bull, and doesn't look unnatural or detract from it at all.  Put it on the wall and be proud of a great hunt!   

[HntnFsh]

I don't think it looks right. But that's just me. Call the taxi and ask him about it. He may have a good explanation. Or he may say. Your right. I can fix it. Give me a few days. May save you a trip over there.

[Bean Counter]

Alls well that ends well, folks.

I called the gentleman and expressed my concerns. He called it a natural hair effect like how humans get a cow lick, or possibly a scar. He took some wire toothbrush to it and it seemed to comb down nicely. I don't think anyone else will notice and in now happy with how it looks. I took him home and need to get the drill out.

When I was a new hunter just a few years ago I thought shoulder mounts were kind of silly but now I can't wait to immortalize him on my wall. 

Thanks to all who weighed in, especially Rick at Cedar River Taxidermy, who sent me a few helpful PMs. As Kuduman alluded To this is one of many examples of why its best to ask around delicately before throwing names around and having to pull the foot out of the mouth later on.... Which I've been known to do... From time to time 

[HntnFsh]

Glad to see you got an answer and results that make for a happy ending!

[cedarriver]