Mounting my 07 Muley Buck

[tlbradford]

Entertaining and informing thread.  Thanks for taking the time to put it together.

[huntnphool]

Very nice Cowboy, and nice buck too.

[bowsandhose]

looking great and a nice buck

[Hunting Cowboy]

Thanks guys...........

I left off with preparing the ears and the mannikin.  Next, I repair any holes in the cape. In this case a repair of the bullet holes. The bullet doesn't just leave a hole, it also burns and damages the surrounding fur. The damaged fur needs to be removed in such a way as to not show up when the mount is complete. So, a football shaped incision is made (with the way the fur is laying) making sure all damaged fur is removed. Then the incision is carefully stitched

[Hunting Cowboy]

Next the clay is modeled onto the form. First clay is added to the nose pad, then the tear ducts, ear butts, eyes, skull plate, around antler burrs, corner of the mouth, and down the back of the neck, and into areas cut out for muscle detail. This doesn't need to be sculpted perfectly but it should close. As the cape is applied to the form, things will sometimes get messed up.

Although the form creates most of the anatomically correct details of the mount, the clay allows subtle details to be sculpted in. This is where most taxidermists use their interpretations of their reference materials such as eye shape, nostril shape, ear placement, ear butt details, etc.

In my opinion, I think if you look close enough you can almost recognize the work of a particular taxidermist. I know there are a few local taxidermists and some nationally recognized that I respect that I can usually recognize their work when I see it.

[Hunting Cowboy]

These photos are of my 07 late tag buck and the mount I'm doing for my late uncles family. I'll post some pictures of both bucks once complete..................

The next step, In addition to the previous clay work, I also add clay into the ear butt areas of the cape to form the ear butt muscles. Once all the Clay work has been completed, it's time to get to work. I apply the hide paste and then begin to add the cape to the form.

The cape is slipped into position starting with the face, then the it's temporarily pinned along the back while I sew around the antler burrs. I use an epoxy adhesive around the burrs since these areas tend to dry out and pull away.

Once I get past the "Y incision" sewing, I stop at that point and work on the face. I tuck the lips, eye lids, tear ducts and inner nostril skin into place taking care to align the fur in the correct position. I use dress makers pins to hold the areas around the eyes and lips. Sometimes I use "cape nails" to nail down the fur around the antler burr until the epoxy has cured. (Especially on elk)

Then, it's back to sewing the long incision down the back. I use a baseball stitch spaced about 1/8 -1/4 inch apart. Once complete, I epoxy the armpit areas and staple the hide on the back. Armpits can sometimes drum if these are not positioned and glued properly. I use foam pipe insulation and T pins to pin these areas until the epoxy cures.

Once the stapling is complete, I trim the excess hide and cut the fur neatly for that clean professional finishing touch.

Then the back incision is pressed into the clay and brushed out. You won't see or feel any stitches here!

Next time, Some info on finish work. (I'm not quite in Bucklucky's league, he posted some great info regarding painting noses)

[Bearhunter]

Looking great Mike!  Glad to see your finally getting to do a couple of your own mounts again.  I may try and do a couple of mine again next spring, if time permits.  Been bear hunting?

[Hunting Cowboy]

Thanks James. Bearhunting? Not yet. Andrew and I will have a hunt planned in a week and a half. He gets some vacation time then. How bout you? (Congrats again on the news!)

[bucklucky]

Nice job Huntingcowboy! Alot of your steps are the same as mine. I do more work withthe rifflers wrasp though, especially on the head. Nice work!

[Jackjr]

Thanks for sharing

[Slider]

Very Nice Job!!! Memories to last a lifetime!!!

[MuleySniper]

Man thats a great job!! Thats an awesome talent to possess and a great hobby as well. Thanks for the tutorial with pics.
MS

[elkaholic]

Good work, going to attempt my 1st one, i have watched a video about 20 times....