Mt lion taxidermy
Contributors to this thread:cougar
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
Follow along as I mount this cougar.
Razza's Taxidermy Studio Bowsite Sponsor
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
Here's the form I started with. I'll use a change out head and do an open mouth.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
I'm not going to get into all the hide prep details but want to point out a few things I do with cougars. First I remove the whiskers before I mount them. This helps in a few ways... One I can thin the hide evenly where the whiskers are. If you don't get it thinned correctly the whiskers will change position when drying. It will also save me from carving out the cheek foam where the whiskers go. And last I can groom the hair where the whiskers would be after it is fully dry.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
Here is a picture of the whisker roots.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
thinning the whisker pad.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
The ears also need turned to the outer edge.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
The toes need turned to the outer edge of the claw. If this is not done you will never get a good look to the feet.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
After the hide is ready I will test fit the hide and make any changes to the form necessary.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
I'll check the eye to nose.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
check lip.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
Make sure that the most outer edge is where my finger is.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
testing the body for fit.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
Now I can start the form alterations. This will ensure the hide will fit properly and get the desired position.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
When a cat stands the toes will arch. I need to do some work to the form to get this right.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
I will do my clay work before I put the skin on.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
I can slip the hide on now.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: INbowdude
20-Aug-16
Wow, I am impressed. How many taxidermists just buy the closest form and then mount it.
You really take the time to educate us on your process and I really appreciate it.
Keep up the great work.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Seahorse
20-Aug-16
Great thread. Thanks for sharing. The eyes are everything, on a cat mount. Get it right and the cat looks alive. Get it wrong and the whole mount looks like a bad joke. That's where you know if a taxidermist is a true artist.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
Now for the base work. I need to find or make a limb for him to stand on.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
I shape his foot to the limb before it dries.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
here is the major benefit to pulling the whiskers. I can paint and groom the cats face without messing the whiskers up. this takes more time but is IMO a better finished mount.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
when I pull the whiskers I place them I clay in the position I pulled them on the face. this will ensure they go back in the same spot on the cat.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
A few pics of the habitat
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Aug-16
Thanks for following!
From: LBshooter
20-Aug-16
Wow! Very nicely done, you captured the look of the eyes which makes or breaks a cat mount.
From: BOWUNTR
20-Aug-16
Amazing artistry... Thank you Dennis. Ed F
From: drycreek
20-Aug-16
Dennis, you do a jam up job !
From: kota-man
20-Aug-16
As usual...very nice Dennis. Great face work.
From: GhostBird
21-Aug-16
Beautiful work!!!
From: Jim B
21-Aug-16
Beautiful cat work Dennis.This shows people that cat taxidermy isn't just "all in the face".It's about every part of the cat and your threads show that very well.It's smart,wearing the hearing protection too.I'm catching heck from the doctors now because I wasn't as diligent.Nice work.
From: Charlie Rehor
21-Aug-16
So how many knew that about the whiskers? Not me!
From: Dennis Razza
21-Aug-16
Thanks guys!
Jim, I don't think until we get a little older that we realize how bad we abuse the body at an early age. I try to protect when possible. One of my client/friend told me one time "hearing loss is a preventative disease" ... that stuck with me!
From: N-idaho
21-Aug-16
very nice, I have seen a lot of cat mounts and that is up there with the best of them. anyone getting a cat mount should call dennis razza. the mouth being open but not in a full growl is awesome. looks very real
From: Dennis Razza
21-Aug-16
From: Stekewood
21-Aug-16
Beautiful mount Dennis. Thanks for taking the time to do these mount threads. Great stuff!
From: wild1
21-Aug-16
Thanks for taking the time - me like!!
From: Drahthaar
21-Aug-16
AWESOME, you are a true artist , Thanks for sharing. Forrest
From: Southern draw
22-Aug-16
Great looking cat !!
From: houndy65
22-Aug-16
That is a art, great job.
From: bbates
22-Aug-16
Fabulous work, makes me want to go shoot a cat just to have you mount one for me.
i will be calling soon
From: bsbowhunter
23-Aug-16
One of the few great cat artists! Awesome job making him come to life Dennis.
From: Jeff Durnell
24-Aug-16
Cool. Looks better than a real one.
From: brianhood
24-Aug-16
Nice work Dennis
From: Pyrannah
24-Aug-16
fantastic....
From: Shug
24-Aug-16
I guess it's ok ...if you're into truly amazing work...
From: rooster
24-Aug-16
Really nice!
From: Wayniac
24-Aug-16
Another outstanding mount!
From: huntmaster
31-Aug-16
Very very Nice!
From: MissingStrands
31-Aug-16
Very nice, most mounts I see the face is not right. Looks like you got it. Well done.
From: Brotsky
31-Aug-16
If I'm ever lucky enough to take a lion I know who I'm calling to mount it! Beautiful work as always Dennis! Thanks for sharing!
From: Scar Finga
01-Sep-16
You are the Man!
Thank you for sharing!
From: Rancher
01-Sep-16
Thank you for taking the time to educate us.I think lions are one of the hardest animals to mount,and make it look good.Your's is outstanding!!
From: BULELK1
02-Sep-16
The head/face always makes or breaks a full body mount.
You always do tremendous work.
Thanks for sharing
Good luck, Robb
From: krieger
18-Dec-16
Wow, spectacular work.
From: LBshooter
18-Dec-16
With just one look at a mount and you know instantly it was done the right way and Dennis is always spot on, beautiful work.
From: Southern draw
19-Dec-16
Very nice thank you for sharing
From: krieger
30-Nov-17
Bring this thread back to the top so I can find it quicker..;)
From: ilandhunter
03-Dec-17
Great job Dennis, Chuck
From: Helgermite
05-Dec-17
Dennis, I've enjoyed a few of your threads like this. Thanks so much for sharing. You are a truly gifted artist!
From: Paul@thefort
05-Dec-17
Dennis, if I had that lion in my house, I would be looking over my shoulder every day, thinking it was going to spring off that log and "eat my lunch". Man that is good.
my best, Paul
From: BagginBigguns
05-Dec-17
Good cat taxidermy is so rare. This is exceptional cat taxidermy.
