Linda and I get ask quite often how much skin we need for a mount, so I thought I would post a response here at Michigan's largest buckpole website Q1Video hoping it might help some out.

While most processors will cape out your deer for a minimal cost and give your taxidermist more than enough skin to mount, for those of you who skin and process your own deer, here's what is needed.

Try to keep your cut when gutting your animal at the bottom of the rib cage. While the brisket area can be easily sewn up, it's alot nicer if we don't have to. Cut the leg skin half way between the foot and the chest. We use 90% McKenzie 8400 series offset semi upright mannikins which have long leg points which requires a lot of leg skin.

Cutting the backskin in the center of the back directly between the front and back legs will give your taxidermist enough skin to mount on these mannikins which have larger shoulders and require more skin. However, if you can give them the entire skin that's even better.

Never, ever, hang a deer by the throat if you intend to mount it!

Never, ever, cut the throat area to "let it bleed out"....as silly as this sounds, you might be surprised how often this is done.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions on this or anything else regarding taxidermy, feel free to shoot me a line.

May your arrows fly straight!

Mark Haineault

Wildlife Illusions by Heads Or Tails Taxidermy

Battle Creek, Michigan