This is a photo of the first whitetail buck I ever killed. I thought he had an unusual pattern on his back.



Well I skinned it and sent it out for mounting, kind of a 3/4 mount to show the pattern more so than the small antlers. The taxidermist went belly up and I finally got my skin and a bunch of other items back. I killed this deer in 2002.

The antlers were not recovered, however, I have plenty more and am thinking again this should have some sort of artistic mounting. The hide is already tanned.

I can still see some of the spots but much of the fur is rumpled from being in storage. It is not shedding and is glossy and the hide is supple. Is the hide too old to work with after so much time?

I saw a 6 month old buck fawn with a similar pattern on his back a few weeks ago. His looked like his spots just hadn't faded completely. His twin sister didn't have the pattern on her.

Ann, are you sure those aren't the tire tread marks from your truck???

I agree though, you need to do something special with it!

Happy New Years,

Bob

Ann,

Most tanneries will tell you to mount up a hide within a year of having it tanned. However, it can be done. I just put a bear together that has been in the freezer since march of 05.

The only real way to tell is rehydrate the hide( or a small piece of it) and see what happens.

Your taxi may tell you, "Ill try it, but Im not responsible if it falls apart".( Same thing Id say!!!)

Good luck with your project.

Hugh

Thanks Hugh, check your PM.