Lengacher's Taxidermy, located in Southern Indiana, would like to take a minuet to explain what to look for when choosing a taxidermist for your next Whitetail Deer Mount. For more examples find up online at www.lengacherstaxidermy.com!
Some of this info is true and some is false, or at least partly false. Several of the items (being able to see through the nose, nictitating membrane on the eye) are aspects of what we refer to as competition grade mounts, NOT commercial grade mounts. If you are getting everything in this video you should be paying top dollar for it. Also, the first item talking about a wet tan vs a dry preserve tan is false. This is like guys talking about Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge, etc etc. A dry preserve done correctly is just as good as a wet tan, that is not my opinion as it's factual. All of my mounts done by others before I started taxidermy 11 years ago were dry preserve, and every mount I have done in the last 11 years (besides a couple) have been with a dry preserved hide as well and all look as good today as they did when they were mounted. Good video though and good info, mount looks great!
I wiped out the nostrils of my Whitetail shoulder mount, and painted the inside of them pink. If I was to ever clean the paint off, would I still be able to see the pink membrane?
Just got a mount back. Was wondering if the eyes on a finished mount could be fixed. It is a big velvet and the eyes are just too big, not relaxed at all and one side is much bigger. I can send photos if you want to see if it can be done.
The best option would be to get a damp microfiber cloth and wipe it down (wiping in the direction of the hair). The other option would be to get a can of compressed air and lightly blow the dust off. Hope this helps!
I've used a vacuum cleaner on mine. Just use the little round brush attachment with the long bristles, and gently go over the fur in the direction it lays/grows. Then afterwards clean him/her off with a wet paper towel/or rag. I bought this stuff called Protex Mount Care. It's a none water soluble liquid chemical that you apply to any kind of taxidermy mount, to clean & protect it from insect damage. I applied it to my 5 point Whitetail Buck shoulder mount using paper towels. It's best to do this when the weather is nice and you can either do it outside or just have your windows open, as the fumes are strong. The fumes dissipate after a certain amount of days, and the little smell that's left is actually kind of nice. You can buy it from any taxidermy supplier. Just be careful as it can be hazardous. Oh and you should wear gloves too. :)
Good quality work will show but small minor stuff shouldn't matter unless someone is looking hard to it if you get charged 350-500 for a shoulder mount then you should expect similar work to in the video!
If the taxidermist gives you competition quality, then he needs to charge more. Time is money. Most taxidermists don't go through all that for nothing. You get what you pay for.
