The successful big-game hunter is assured of two things: great memories, and an abiding satisfaction with his or her skills. But there is another set of skills that can bring further satisfaction and solidify the memories of a hunt--the art of taxidermy.
Once a practice of secrecy and alchemy, with tight-lipped taxidermists who gave away few insights into the perfection of their mounts, taxidermy has caught on in many parts of the country as a fun, creative art enjoyed by people of all ages and walks of life. National competitions have furthered the rise of this art form, and more and more taxidermists are telling how it's done--how to get started, how to make incredibly lifelike mounts, and how to improve your skills. This book does all that.
Chapters cover topics such as proper skinning and fleshing techniques, preservation methods, handling skins properly, dealing with antlered animals, and handling shoulder mounts and European mounts. Drawing on years of experience--his own and that of his father--author Todd Triplett offers a professional's advice on the subtle techniques of working with complicated body parts, attaching and sewing the skin without leaving a visible seam, and perfecting the finishing steps of a mount. He also explains why field care is where good taxidermy starts. Whether the reader is pursuing taxidermy as a hobby or a profession, Big-Game Taxidermy will prove to be an invaluable resource.


Whether you hunt deer, elk, antelope, bears, or wild hogs, when you take a trophy big-game animal, you'll want to preserve it forever. But why hire a professional taxidermist to handle your game animal when you can do it yourself? Not only will you save money, but you'll have the satisfaction of crafting your own mount with base, background, and everything else associated with it. Drawing on generations of experience, the author covers all aspects of the art. From proper field care and preservation to assembling life-size mounts and rugs, this book will help any individual to approach master status.
Chapters cover topics such as proper skinning and fleshing techniques, preservation methods, shoulder mounts, rugging methods, dealing with horned animals, and basic base building, along with novelty mounts. Drawing on generations of experience, author Todd Triplett relates a lifetime of invaluable tips on the subtle arts of the ear and mouth--when to choose open and when to choose closed--and why field care is where good taxidermy starts. Whether the reader is pursuing taxidermy as a hobby or a profession, The Complete Guide to Big-Game Taxidermy will prove an invaluable guide.