FLOOD HELP PLEASE!!! WET MOUNTS

[280ackley]

I have a couple of Friends that lost a lot in the the floods out towards PeEll.  I am looking for info on the best way to dry out deer/elk mounts and bear rugs, they were completely submerged.  Any info would help.  Thanks

[Michelle_Nelson]

Bearmartin. 

Their going to need more work than just drying them out.  The eyes and lips could start pulling out of the slots due to the rehydration.  Drumming could also occur in the arm pit.  You realy need to take them to a taxidermist and have them looked at and baby sat durring the drying process. 

It's hard to say about the bear rug.  It may have to be re-done.

It realy depends on how wet they all got.

If you want give me a call! 

Michelle Nelson
(360) 704 - 0034

[280ackley]

Thanks for the info Michelle.  I will pass it on along with your phone #.
Again, thanks

[Michelle_Nelson]

When leather gets wet (asuming they were all tanned) it streaches.  When it drys out again it shrinks.  When a bear rug is done the head is mounted and than it is streached on a board til it is dry.  This makes it as large as possible.  When it gets wet it is going to shrink a good bit. 

For example.  I have a Dry tanned Whitetail cape sitting on the couch beside me.  If I measure it behind the ears it is 16".  When it was fresh off the animal raw it measured 19".  Once I rehydrate it, it will measure 19" behind the ears again.

If the mounts dry to slow mold could begin to grow on the hair as well as under the skin.