Think before you cut

[Erik in AK]

Along the lines of the old carpenter's adage "Measure twice, cut once"...before you commit that last bit of blade pressure to a fresh hide...make sure ou know what you are doing.

In a classic case of Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda, but Didn't
I screwed up my grizzly hide this fall when taking out the feet...I cut out the toe pads to make it easier to get to the knuckle joints. I assumed (I know, I know, I know) that the pads on mounts were artificial. So, in my confident stupidity, I rendered my hide un-rugable because without the pads the claws won't lay right. The taxidermist was up front about it from the start. I now have a tanned hide to remind me of my error.

Yes, I was tired
Yes, I was cold
Yes, I thought I knew what I was doing

If you are going on a hunt for an animal new to you and where you plan to have a taxidermy bill afterwards...talk to your taxidermist BEFORE going and get their advice and follow it. Take pictures if your taxidermist has similar work in the shop while you're there. Maybe check out Youtube (virtually everything under the sun has a "How To" on Youtube)

If you're ever unsure? Don't make the cut. Suck up the extra pack weight.

Signed
Iman Idjit

 

[JuliW]

Just about anything is repairable. Rebuilding the pads is always a possibility....depends on how much other skin you removed, and even then, things tend to look a lot worse on a dry hide than a rehydrated hide.. Getting replacement feet for parts is also an option... The magic wand is always on the job.

Juli

 

[SmokeRoss]

Hanging out in the shop with a taxidermist buddy can be a real learning experience. I had some good teachers who made a huge difference for me when capeing animals in the field, or skinning a bear for a rug, but time at my buddies shop later on was priceless.

 

[limon32]

That's interesting to hear, I've talked with taxidermists that don't want the pads on.


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[JuliW]

Limon, it is not uncommon for the main foot pad to be removed if the bear will be made into a rug. I have never heard of the toe pads being removed, and doing so will require a lot of repair, as Erik has discovered.
Generally it is best to leave all parts attached and let the taxidermist remove if needed.

 

[Lone Wolf1]

That's interesting to hear, I've talked with taxidermists that don't want the pads on.


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You don't use the large pads for a rug, but you do keep the toe pads. Having said that, if that's the only thing wrong with your hide, it can definitely be fixed. I had a client do the same thing on a black bear (see photo), and I'll just rebuild the toe pads when I rug it (for a small fee, of course).

 

[limon32]

You don't use the large pads for a rug, but you do keep the toe pads. Having said that, if that's the only thing wrong with your hide, it can definitely be fixed. I had a client do the same thing on a black bear (see photo), and I'll just rebuild the toe pads when I rug it (for a small fee, of course).

Thanks, I would have likely made the same mistake some day!


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