Blacktail Taxidermy process

[Pete112288]

So I have had several updates along the process so far of my buck being mounted from my taxidermist's FB page. My taxidermist says he has been told by other taxis that he should not post partially done work because some clients will think its shotty work or they will be constantly questioning things and whatnot. He said that his business has continued to increase substantially so he continues to share it unless a specific client asks him not to post their animals. I think it is super cool, I have the faith and trust in him so I am not the type to question things and I really enjoy seeing the process and progress rather than just being in the dark until its done. I blacked out all the other work he had in the background of the pics since I dont want to post anyone's stuff without permission. Which the childish side of me is bummed because one picture shows it next to 7 or 8 other bucks on the wall and mine is only bested by one big mule deer on the wall  However they are all real solid deer one way or the other. Just thought its pretty cool to see the process and wanted to share.

[pd]

I think this is wonderful.  There is nothing wrong with your taxidermist sharing the process as he goes.  Thanks for posting.

[Twispriver]

Thanks for sharing and keep updating

[cohocrazy]

Thanks for sharing the pics. I just got a blacktail back from the taxidermist that looks great. Every time I look at it I wonder about the process.

[Gearhead1940]

Very cool! Keep the pics coming!

[Rob]

Thanks for sharing (and an amazing blacktail!)

I find the process fascinating and appreciate it when I get photos from the Taxidermist.  They look terrible while being mounted, but the ending transformation is amazing!

These are some shots of my springbok.

[Onewhohikes]

Do you have a closer picture of the finish spring buck?

[Rob]

not a good one, but it is behind me as I type this - I will take a better one and post.

[Onewhohikes]

Love the other mounts by the way

[Rob]

Thanks!

The taxi offered to darken the horns, but I kinda liked the white bits that showed up after it had been cleaned up.

You can see the nose was dark and had a scar on it in the field photo. 

[Rob]

looks like the scar does not show up in the re-sized photo.  but it is there!

Looking forward to seeing your blacktail mount progress Pete!

[Onewhohikes]

That's a beautiful animal

[hunterofelk]

My advice to future African hunters....have your trophies prepared and then shipped to taxidermist in the USA.  I had my work done in South Africa and they mixed my animals with another group's.  The other hunters where from Alaska and didn't want to go to trouble of shipping.  My Springbok had beautiful curved sixteen inch horns, the one I got had twelve inch horns and the mount looks like the animal is dead.  The gemsbok I received has longer horns and the kudu has the same length horns, but the twist of the horns is less than the one I actually killed.  The zebra, red hartebest and klipspringer are the ones I got, but there is no life in the work.

[Onewhohikes]

I suppose it depends on who you go with as far as the taxidermist and the outfitter. My friends had theirs done over there and they turned out great. It took a couple years but the prices were very reasonable.

[teanawayslayer]

That’s awesome. I think that is great business practice! Did you shoot that buck this year?

[Pete112288]

That’s awesome. I think that is great business practice! Did you shoot that buck this year?

Yes, this year. Shot Oct. 27, had it at the taxi the morning of the 28th

[teanawayslayer]

That’s awesome. I think that is great business practice! Did you shoot that buck this year?

Yes, this year. Shot Oct. 27, had it at the taxi the morning of the 28th

he has a quick turn around? What taxi is doing the work? You could pm me that info if you don’t want to share.

[Pete112288]

So got some good updates on the process. Man, really seeing step by step on some things is a real eye opener. I have watched his progress on some other deer and am amazed at how it all comes together through the last portion of the drying process. He was clear to tell me not to judge too much at this point because there is a lot of finish work and tweaking still to do throughout it being on his "drying wall" as he calls it. But it sure does get me excited to see the cape on the form and everything.