Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OT, but what else is new on this forum LOL. Going to the Arizona Taxidermy Show next weekend with 2 mounts.

This 14 inch red ear sunfish that I molded, casted and painted .......also molded and casted my hand.

Kerby...

-----
Life is like a bunch of fish in an aquarium....we all get along (bonding) until I want to eat you....and I do.

Also this coyote pedestal mount with hand carved cactus pads (artsy for me). LOL

Kerby...

-----
Life is like a bunch of fish in an aquarium....we all get along (bonding) until I want to eat you....and I do.

That coyote looks alive.

Hmm, lots of questions.

How do they judge those things? I mean what do they look for?

I am assuming this is a trade show but they also hand out awards.

Are you selling any of those you just posted?

Have you done snakes or other reptiles? If so, i am sure I don't speak for myself and we would all like to see.

What type of animals is the hardest to do right? I would assume fish..maybe? Possibly snakes?
-----
Why I say, you attack is, you do not consider anything said, and use random questions that do not relate to the subject or the train of thought that will allow you to learn about the subject. You jump back and forth in some random line of questioning base on what you do not understand.

FR

**That coyote looks alive.**

Thanks

**How do they judge those things? I mean what do they look for?**

There are 5 major categories to compete in (Life size, shoulder mounts, birds, fish, reptiles). That way a fish is not competing against a mt. lion. Judges have score sheets that cover anatomy, symmetry, color, seams, ear postioning, eye set, lip line, nose, etc..

**I am assuming this is a trade show but they also hand out awards.**

Yes, it is a competition as well as having seminars and taxidermy vendors/suppliers will be there as well. I am giving a seminar on molding and casting.

**Are you selling any of those you just posted?**

Yes, I do sell mounted items that do not belong to clients.

**Have you done snakes or other reptiles? If so, i am sure I don't speak for myself and we would all like to see.**

Yes, I am one of the few taxidermists that does reptiles. I also compete with reptiles. I will post pictures after this reply.

**What type of animals is the hardest to do right? I would assume fish..maybe? Possibly snakes?**

Different for different taxidermists. I do not like doing birds.....few taxidermists do reptiles, most don't do fish becasue fish have to be painted.

Kerby...
-----
Life is like a bunch of fish in an aquarium....we all get along (bonding) until I want to eat you....and I do.

50 inch Gaboon Viper, skin mount, 2012 Kansas Taxidermys Show - Kansas Choice Best Reptile, People's Choice Best Reptile

Cuban Rock Iguana Reproduction that I molded, casted and painted. 1st Place World Taxidermy Championships (Professional Division)

Desert Tortoise Reproduction that I molded, casted and painted. 1st Place World Taxidermy Championships (Professional Division)

1st Place 2006 New Mexico Taxidermy Show, Best Reptile

1st Place 2011 Arizona Taxidermy Show

Kerby...
-----
Life is like a bunch of fish in an aquarium....we all get along (bonding) until I want to eat you....and I do.

I like the Gila. The Desert Tortoise looks a little fake because the head and limbs are brown. I imagine those are pretty hard to make look real compared to a kingsnake.
-----

I also build my own rocks for my mounts.

I have been doing taxidermy since 1974.

Have given seminars at numerous state shows and at the 2011 World Taxidermy Championships.

Was also a judge (reptile category) at the 2012 United Taxidermy Association (UTA) Show in Pasco, Washington in January 2012 as well as gave a seminar.

I have been published in Breakthrough Magazine 7 times.
#85, Rattlesnake anatomy
#91, Mounting a Argus Monitor
#93, Painting a Apache Trout
#94, Painting a Gila Trout
#95, Molding, Casting, Painting a Desert Tortoise
#103, Mounting a Rattlesnake
#105, Molding a 14" Red Ear Sunfish

Kerby...
-----
Life is like a bunch of fish in an aquarium....we all get along (bonding) until I want to eat you....and I do.

Are you making all those rocks yourself as well... if not would you send me a PM telling me where you get them?

Things like that would look great as hides... assuming of course they're hollow or could be hollowed out.

Some nice looking work you have there... like the sunfish myself.

Gerry

Some of the rocks I make molds of (from real rocks) and others I break up pieces of foam, screw together and then apply a mixture of: sheetrock mix, vermiculite & paper insulation, then water.

Last year (May 2011) I gave a seminar for the Arizona Herpetological Association's members on molding and casting.

Kerby...
-----
Life is like a bunch of fish in an aquarium....we all get along (bonding) until I want to eat you....and I do.

I also mold prickly pear cactus pads. Here are some reproduction cactus pads that I molded, casted and painted.

Kerby...

-----
Life is like a bunch of fish in an aquarium....we all get along (bonding) until I want to eat you....and I do.

Yes I recall now... have your website bookmarked. In your miscellaneous section you show the basics of making the rocks.

I've tried looking around for taxidermy supply sites that offer cast rocks... found a few and was surprised at how cheap they were. Problem was/is none of them were just the right size... to small or too big.

If you have a written tutorial on how to make the rocks I'd sure appreciate it being sent my way... in any case good luck at the show... let us know how you do.

Gerry

For the taxidermist in all of us:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2012/06/04/taxidermy-cat-takes-to-the-air.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=cheatsheet_afternoon&cid=newsletter;email;cheatsheet_afternoon&utm_term=Cheat Sheet