The Art of Taxidermy

TAXIDERMY, The Art of Preserving and Displaying Hunting Trophies and Zoological Specimens.

Taxidermy is the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display (e.g. as hunting trophies) or for other sources of study.

Taxidermy, the art  of preserving the integument, together with the scales, feathers and fur can be done on all vertebrate species of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles  and amphibians.

Taxidermy is generally classified into three broad divisions :
(1) Birds.
(2) Mammals.
(3) Fish.
It has also been extended to include preserving and displaying insects, part of the science of entomology.

Very few tools are required by the taxidermist. It is possible to skin both birds and small mammals with only a penknife and a pair of scissors with the aid of a pair of pliers to stuff and set them up.

Some of the things you will need are:

• The first indispensable article is a knife.
• The next tool required is a pair of fine-pointed scissors with long handles and short, straight, fine blades.
• Cutting nippers  should be large and strong for cutting wire.
• Side cutters  also, are useful.
• Round-nose Pliers
• Brain-spoon and Hook.
• Feather Pliers
• Stuffing-iron
• Bodkin.
• Suspending Hook;
• Chain and Hooks
• Preservative to dry the skins.
• plaster-of-paris
• Cottonwool or tow for stuffing

CASTS are greatly valued as working models and records.
PHOTOGRAPHS help show shape and colors.
OUTLINES should be made of dead animals on large sheets of paper.
NOTES as to the color of all the soft parts that tend to lose their color when the skin is dry should be carefully taken.

It is important to measure every specimen you prepare.

MEASUREMENTS. The following are the most important measurements
to take of a small mammal.
1. Length, from end of nose to root of tail.
2. Length of tail, from root to end of vertebrae
3. Length of the hind foot.
4. Height at shoulders,
5. The color of the eyes, and the other soft parts.
6. Weight, in certain cases

MEASUREMENTS. This is the system of bird measurement.
1. Length. Distance between the tip of the bill and the end
of the longest feather of the tail.
2. Extent of wings
3. Length of wing.
4. Length of the tail.
5. Length of bill.
6. Length of tarsus
7. Length of toes.
8. Length of the claws
9. Length of head.

The true contours of the specimen are preserved by making a clay model, exactly duplicating the animal’s muscle structure, over an armature that includes the original skeleton or parts of it. A plaster mold is then made, from which is produced a light, durable frame that holds the skin in position.

Taxidermists develop anatomically detailed figures in artistically interesting poses, mounted in realistic settings and posed appropriately for the specimen.

The rapid and disturbing destruction of all kinds of wild animal life which is now proceeding furiously worldwide, makes it imperative for those who would build up great zoological collections to be doing more before the leading species are exterminated.

Whitetail Deer Shoulder Mount Taxidermy Video 11 of of 15

Step-By-Step Video Instructions How to Taxidermy a Deer Head. Video Series can Also Be Used to Taxidermy Other Large Game. Video 11 of 15. Visit: wyomingtaxidermy.blogspot.com. Duration : 0:9:53 …

Publish Date: 06/08/2010 8:42

http://www.formanekdesigns.com/whitetail-taxidermy/whitetail-deer-shoulder-mount-taxidermy-video-11-of-of-15

Home Taxidermy 101: The Antlers – Tracking wildlife with Joseph …

As a young hunter buck fever was certainly a factor that kept me coming back year after year but also presented a huge problem –being able to afford a taxidermist. Clearly if there is any problem at all with tagging a decent buck or any …

Publish Date: 09/18/2010 20:31

http://blog.timesunion.com/wildlife/home-taxidermy-101-the-antlers/282/

Cermele: Fish or Animal Taxidermy. Which is Harder? | Field & Stream

Remember Tom Healy’s 41.7-pound brown trout caught in Michigan last September? It held the world-record title for a full 10 months before getting beaten by an ounce this July. Anyway, the original trophy now hangs on Healy’s wall, …

Publish Date: 08/26/2010 12:00

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/fishing/2010/08/cermele-fish-or-animal-taxidermy-which-harder

Taxidermy step-by-step

Learn Taxidermy step-by-step in the video.