Hunting Taxidermy Supplies
Taxidermy supply kits include such things as plaques and mounts for skulls and various other trophies. These kits are an essential part of the trade for any avid hunter, taxidermist, or both. Whether you intend to mount antlers for whitetail deer, skulls, or full bodies or smaller creatures, general taxidermy supply options will provide everything you need.
What are some essential items in taxidermy supply?When you first consider the sort of taxidermy supply you will want, you need to think about it in three stages. The first are the supplies you will need for the actual process of taxidermy itself as you work on the bodies. These generally include the blades and other cutting tools. The second involves the kit and materials that will help you preserve the hides both as you are working on the process of taxidermy. The third and final category involves styling the animals to display them as finished trophies. Each of these stages contains important items that are essential to any taxidermist or hunter. While the methods for preserving and styling different animal groups vary, there are still some basic kits every taxidermist needs.
- A scalpel and replacement blades.
- A fleshing knife.
- Two sets of pliers, round and cutting versions.
- Clay and resin for styling the subject prior to mounting.
- A sewing kit with needle and thread.
Because fish and birds take some extra care and consideration, you may wish to start simple when it comes to mounting and hone your taxidermy skills on small subjects first. This is often the easiest category of animal to prepare for mounting and displaying as a trophy. While fish are small, they must be airbrushed, as the scales lose color upon death.
- You may wish to mount antlers, such as those from whitetail deer, on special plaques. These mounts are often made of varnished wood such as walnut, and are available in a variety of sizes. You simply need to choose the size of the mount that corresponds with the size of the antlers you are mounting.
- You will want to mount a skull on a dedicated taxidermy skull hooker or taxidermy mount. These mounts are made of metal such as steel or brass. Taxidermy skull kits are available that will let you practice putting together a skull and placing it properly on a taxidermy mount, in preparation for mounting your first actual skull.
- A bobcat is an example of a relatively small creature that you could mount in its entirety. Typically you will place the finished product in a lifelike habitat after the tanning process is finished.
- Bone brackets offer another way for you to mount skulls or other bone structures and are both small and quick to set up for mounting once the taxidermy process is complete.