EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Not sure if I've posted this in the appropriate place but I operate a small taxidermy business in Palestine, Tx. and would love to help any of you folks with any mounting needs you may have.  I really enjoy doing the hog mounts (probably one of the few taxidermists that actually do).  I have included a few pictures of my work including hog and deer mounts.  I currently do not offer skull mounts. Thanks for accepting me to the forum and feel free to send me a message if you need any contact info.  The hogs I've pictured were taken with dogs around the Neches, Tx. area.
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx38/dbyrd200/006_zps1e113bf2.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dbyrd200/media/006_zps1e113bf2.jpg.html)
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx38/dbyrd200/001_zpsa57245bc.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dbyrd200/media/001_zpsa57245bc.jpg.html)
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx38/dbyrd200/012_zps9cb574a9.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dbyrd200/media/012_zps9cb574a9.jpg.html)

Nice work. I do have a question for ya though. What's the best and I hate to say it, cheapest way to preserve a hide? I had a hog hide that I salted down with pickling salt, rolled it up and put it in the freezer and forgot bout it till my deep freeze crapped out and I threw it on the pond dam to shoot yotes off of. Well that was close to a yr ago and between the dogs and yotes pulling it around, most of the hide that didn't get eaten is still holding up. But I want to preserve my coon , beaver and nutria hides and put them on the arm rests, but I don't want a rough hide. What's the nxt best cheapest but good preserving/tanning method

fine work there sir. Hopefully i will have a need for your services (unlike in years past).  rolleyes

Charles,  Many of the taxidermy suppliers have tanning kits you can purchase with complete instructions oh how to use them.  The least expensive way would be to use dry preservative on your hide then staple it down on a flat surface and let dry.  After dry,  you oil the hide,  let it soak in and then work the hide (on the skin side) back and forth against a semi sharp surface "breaking" the fibers of the skin making it soft.  It's a less expensive process but requires more labor.

bjohnston0311,  Thanks for the compliment.  Maybe this will be the year for you.  My number is 903-922-3562 if you need me.

Gotcha. So the puckling salt and nail method was correct, i just wasnt sure how to get it soft without setting there for hrs on end rubbing the hide together. The oil is the part i was missing. Thank you for the help.

Got a question for ya if you don't mind.

I had a hog mounted a year or so back and to say the guy butchered it is probably an understatement.  Ive had a couple different guys look at it, but none told me any tricks to fix it.  The eyes are crossed, they were set with Critter Clay, any way to soften it up to adjust them?  Other than that the screwed up mouth is about all but I have a dremel  ;D .

Unfortunately I cant spend any more $$ to get this thing fixed.  Any help is appreciated.

RDJUSTHAM  just say that's y u mounted hem cuz he was crossed eyed


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Good mounts

HAHA.  Currently its in a spare closed with a blanket over it.  :-[

I would show it off to make people ask the ??? Then it's game on time for the great hunting story


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Unfortunately it might just have to be a lesson learned.  You always run the risk of causing more problems when you try and rehydrate some of these things.  Hope you didn't loose a lot of money on your mount...always look at a taxidermist's work before leaving your trophy with them.

Thanks bud, thats kinda what i figured.  Im guessin the guy didnt mount the stuff in his shop.

What about using a high speed dremel and grind the eyes out and reglue new eyes in

Charles I went ahead and used a warm compress, an old dental pic and a needle with warm water.  it wasn't easy but luckily the guy did a half a$$ job and didn't use eye set so it was just clay holding the eyes in, now he doesn't have any eyes much less cross eyed.  ;D

A dremel and voila the screwed up mouth is out.  Nice of the guy to cut the teeth for me, woulda been better if they were cut to the same size, then I wouldn't have been able to bitch about that.  rolleyes  Oh and I almost forgot, the dremel gave him him some nostrils bigger than the tip of a pencil too. 

Ordered some clay today, now I need to learn how to use an air brush.  Guess I should buy one huh.. lol

Gotta figure out what jaw set I need, then im all set.

Just goes to show, impatient irritated rednecks with power tools can fix anything.  ;D