Thread: Taxidermy/tanning for beginners

Hello

I'm just wondering how people learnt/got into taxidermy? I am going overseas to work soon but when I get back I am wanting to get more into this and learn more any tips?

Thanks

I'd like to know a bit more about harvesting the hide of a deer or tahr...what are the basic dos and don'ts. Not necessarily the actual tanning bit (that can go to a specialist), but the best methods of taking the skin off properly and tidily and storing it for transport etc. I just don't want to hack away and make it a mess. Any advice or useful videos to look at? Cheers

Let the skin cool down (ideally) before putting it in your pack. Helps to prevent hair slippage. If you are away hunting for more than a day or two take some salt for the skin (a 2 litre milk bottle full is a good amount - get bulk plain salt from bin inn etc) and spend time to remove as much flesh as possible and rub in salt, leave to soak moisture, scrap off, then repeat.

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Skin it off carefully to avoid putting holes in the hide. Angle your knife so stray cuts ge into the meat, not the hide. Let the hide cool, use plain salt, not iodised salt if staying in the bush for a while. To pack it out fold it skin on skin, fur on fur when you fold it/roll it up, try to avoid getting salt onto the hair/fur side of the pelt.

Get some skinny sharp knives for removing the pelt from the animal.The nose, ears and mouth are the tricky part.