Mount Photos

[DaveS]

I thought I would share these photos with you.

First, I just need to let you know that the "Hunting" of Rattlesnakes is not permitted in the state of Tennessee. This Timber Rattlesnake was caught in the act of eating one of my banty hens. He took her right off her nest.

With the spring hunting seasons here, these and many other snakes are on the prowl. Right now, Copperheads and Cottonmouths are out in abundance! BE CAREFUL!

He was 73 inches in length, 11 inches around and had 10 rattles.

Here is a picture of him the day he met my .22 pistol, and after he was finished by the best Taxidermist I know (me).

NOTE: The Banty Hen nor the Snake survived this encounter.

Edited May 12, 2012 by wd-40

[BigK]

snakes, really?...this is so NOT what I was expecting to see

Seriously though, nice snake. My dad earned his CB handle on Nat'l Guard duty by killing an 8' rattler with an entrenching tool. That same trip he won a CB radio in a raffle. He was known as Snake Man after that.

Edited May 12, 2012 by BigK

[DaveS]

I'll put some others up here. I'm just starting this thread, but there are other photos on other posts.

[DaveS]

Albino Feral Hog. Taken and mounted by "me".

280 pounds.

Edited May 12, 2012 by wd-40

[DaveS]

I took this 150 pound Feral Hog with bow. It was my first "bow" hog. I done it as a full body mount.

[DaveS]

My 10 pointer...

My 15 year old daughter's 12 pointer...

Edited May 12, 2012 by wd-40

[Guest adamoxtwo]

was that rattler at your place?

[DaveS]

300 Pound Wild Boar taken with bow.

[DaveS]

was that rattler at your place?

Yes. Remember my chicken pen? Right there.

[Ramjo]

These are nice! As expensive as taxidermy is, it must be nice to just do it yourself.

[DaveS]

Years of practice! Thank you for the compliment!

[Guest adamoxtwo]

Yes. Remember my chicken pen? Right there.

That's crazy I have heard of Rattler's in the area but never had an encounter.

[DaveS]

Speaking of rattling, I need to rattle up your buck as soon as we can.

[Guest adamoxtwo]

Name a Day. I have the box in the garage. I can bring it over when ever. Today if you are home.

[BigK]

Nice work wd-40! The snake looks like it's still alive. I really like the 300# boar too.

I used to watch a TV show about a taxidermist in Alaska. Seemed like interesting work.

Dumb question, sorry, ever been asked to do someone's pet? Seems creepy, but to each his own.

[Timestepper]

Dave, I gotta' admit - if any other former mountain man/buckskinner but you had started talking about "mounting" wild critters I would have hitched my britches up tight, got a firm hold on my Green River and started wonderin' if I could out run 'em in my canoe or if it was better to just swim for it...

But those are some absolutely gorgeous mounts! BRAVO!

[DaveS]

A couple fish photos....

My Pride and Joy!

9 pound LMB

I mounted this Smallmouth for my Fire Chief.

6 1/2 pounds

An 8 pound LMB

The glare on this Rainbow Trout makes his fin look white and the rest of the fish hard to see from being too glossy. I went to a new gloss coat and it makes for a horrible picture. His fins are actualy clear.

Caught on Fort Campbell and mounted for a friend.

Edited May 12, 2012 by wd-40

[DaveS]

Dumb question, sorry, ever been asked to do someone's pet? Seems creepy, but to each his own.

I was asked alot when I ran my shop. Pets and somebody's old lady are two things I refused to mount! I had the opportunity to talk with Dale Earnhart's (of NASCAR fame) Taxidermist, and he told me that mounting someone's pet was profesional suicide! That client would never be happy, and your reputation would be destroyed!

The only pet I ever did mount was a "Hedgehog". PERIOD!

Edited May 12, 2012 by wd-40

[DaveS]

Dave, I gotta' admit - if any other former mountain man/buckskinner but you had started talking about "mounting" wild critters I would have hitched my britches up tight, got a firm hold on my Green River and started wonderin' if I could out run 'em in my canoe or if it was better to just swim for it...

But those are some absolutely gorgeous mounts! BRAVO!

Thank you!

Speaking of britches...

Edited May 12, 2012 by wd-40

[DaveS]

This 175 pound Feral Hog was mounted for a client in Green County Tennessee. This hog tore up 2 dogs before they could bring him down

with bow.

A coyote mount...

This little Fawn and his momma was killed by a car near my house. He is the tiniest fawn I have ever seen. He stood about 12 inches tall and maybe weighed about 2 pounds.

OK, that's all for now. Gotta a fishfry to tend to!

Good day, and thanks for looking!

Dave

[Guest adamoxtwo]

Let me know a good day and I'll stop by. I really would like to finish this guy up. Got a spot on the wall that looks a little empty

[Timestepper]

Speaking of britches....wet buckskin is about the worst thing you could try and cover your carcuss with!

True, but it also pretty much prevents unwanted "mounting."

[DaveS]

True, but it also pretty much prevents unwanted "mounting."

I speck you got a pretty good point there!

[whiskey]

WD won't tell it, but he became famous in certain circles for the life like taxidermy he does with sheep.

Sorry, you know me, I couldn't resist.

You do nice work. Maybe I will kill something worth mounting one day.

[Guest TnRebel]

Florida Hog