Fake rocks for taxidermy

[mattbredeweg]

Anyone ever make their own habitats? Want to make a rock base for my bobcat I'm getting mounted. $200 for a store bought seems high to me..
I want to give it a go, any help is appreciated

[mattbredeweg]

Any one?

[tkfurs]

I dont know much about taxidermy maybe Shawn has some input???

[mark572]

I will look for my recipe for the mix when i get back home this evening.

[hoseromon]

Try taxidermy.net. It has a wealth of info on its forums

[shawn]

I do know how but am reluctant to post it. I feel that it is taking money right out of the hands of one of my colleagues. Many folks do taxidermy as a full time job, myself included and need to charge a living wage to support themselves and their family, no different than many here, just a different job. This may upset the OP and many others but, my suggestion is to pay your taxidermist to design and build the habitat, that way the habitat and your mount look like they belong, the finished piece should be much more appealing to look at, instead of an animal stuck to a rock or a chunk of dirt. 

[mattbredeweg]

Well I can understand that a guys got to make a living. BUT I also am like many other folks on here that like to save money by doing some things themselves.
A taxidermist is going to do the mount but I'm doing the base. I'm not paying $200 for a foam base painted Rock that I could do myself.
Other helpful tips are greatly appreciated.

[nytrapper23]

Jan 10, 2016 22:31:45 GMT -5 mattbredeweg said:

Well I can understand that a guys got to make a living. BUT I also am like many other folks on here that like to save money by doing some things themselves.
A taxidermist is going to do the mount but I'm doing the base. I'm not paying $200 for a foam base painted Rock that I could do myself.
Other helpful tips are greatly appreciated.

I'm doing the same thing , making the base and taking that to my taxidermist to mount the fox on , but I'm not having any rocks just wood .

[wvoutdoorsman]

You can use building foam they use to insulate houses and layer it then shape it and use a small pipe torch to melt it. Then paint it and add leaves and dirt to a glue mixture. I'll have to figure out how to post pics and show you mine. I'll have to try and access my old photobucket account. It's the pink or blue foam not the white styrofoam.

WVO

[northwoodstrapper]

I agree with Matt. I owned a taxidermy business for 15 yrs. The amount the taxidermist will charge to make it look professional with a real life diorama is reasonable for the amount of work that goes into
it. i.e. purchasing foam, gluing, carving, panting then assembling the mount to make it look good. If it's a once in a life time don't skimp.
JMO

[northwoodstrapper]

I agree with Matt. I owned a taxidermy business for 15 yrs. The amount the taxidermist will charge to make it look professional with a real life diorama is reasonable for the amount of work that goes into
it. i.e. purchasing foam, gluing, carving, panting then assembling the mount to make it look good. If it's a once in a life time don't skimp.
JMO