James RickardHow to mount that trophy catch!
December 6th 2010 05:37
You've finally caught the lunker you've been after and you want to have it mounted for all to see. Where to begin?
These days you have two options--a skin mount or a replica mount.
These days you have two options--a skin mount or a replica mount.
Although taxidermy is a growing hobby field, make sure the person you have working on you trophy knows what they are doing. You don't want to end up as a real world experiment for one of your friends!
It may take many years but. skin mounts eventually dry out, crack and have to be redone. Another drawback to skin mounts in that skin imperfections are clearly visible. Bite marks, scratches, cuts, or scrapes all who up because they are part of the animal's hide.
Replica mounts are not the cheap, self aggrandizing trophy you may think they are. Properly made, they can create memories that last a life time while preserving the animal kingdom.
If you decide to go with a replica mount, make sure you shop around and settle on a taxidermist who knows what he or she is doing and knows a bit about the species you have in order to provide a faithful reproduction.
It may take many years but. skin mounts eventually dry out, crack and have to be redone. Another drawback to skin mounts in that skin imperfections are clearly visible. Bite marks, scratches, cuts, or scrapes all who up because they are part of the animal's hide.
Replica mounts are not the cheap, self aggrandizing trophy you may think they are. Properly made, they can create memories that last a life time while preserving the animal kingdom.
If you decide to go with a replica mount, make sure you shop around and settle on a taxidermist who knows what he or she is doing and knows a bit about the species you have in order to provide a faithful reproduction.
However, the responsibility of accuracy does not rest solely with the taxidermist. You must work with them to provide as may detailed photographs as possible.
Get as may shots at all angle as possible. Also, you need to make sure the exposures are good. Try to get as close as possible and if the flash is washing out detail, try throwing a white handkerchief over the flash. Not to get too technical but, one thickness of handkerchief will probably cut the flash by one f-stop.
Catching a fish is usually the end result of the fishing experience. If you decide to mount you fish, it's just the beginning.
Get as may shots at all angle as possible. Also, you need to make sure the exposures are good. Try to get as close as possible and if the flash is washing out detail, try throwing a white handkerchief over the flash. Not to get too technical but, one thickness of handkerchief will probably cut the flash by one f-stop.
Catching a fish is usually the end result of the fishing experience. If you decide to mount you fish, it's just the beginning.
Remember to take the hooks outta yer pocket before ya sit down!
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