Taxidermy

[titleman]

What taxidermist would you recommend for a nice Crappie mount in the Little Rock area? I think Crappie are one of the harder mounts to make realistic.
What are some of your favorite poses? Open mouth or closed?

And how about some tips on pre-taxidermy storage/preparation?

(Slipcork, don't get excited....it's just for future information!)

Titleman

[Slipcork]

I'm ready! Matter of fact, I think I'm sick. Even have a fever. Fishin fever.

What if I'm the one that needs that taxidermist?

[Arkie John]

When you have that trophy, soak an old tee-shirt -- not a towel -- and wrap your fish in it completely, soaking wet, inside a plastic bag and freeze it with the fins compressed, making sure they are not in a position that will break them.

Using a towel with its large loop stitching will break a fin if it is caught in it during the freezing process.

Take it to the taxidermist as soon as possible. $7.50 an inch is average price right now. Personally I like my fish to curve out toward the viewer with the mouth open, hand painted and not airbrushed (especially black crappie).

No recommendation for a LR taxidermist. I'm in Hot Springs and just don't know any.

aj

[wishtofish]

Check out Chipmunk's on Baucum Pike near Rose City/North Little Rock. Had a mount done of a bass and am very satisfied with it.

[DRPEPPER]

Check out Chipmunk's on Baucum Pike near Rose City/North Little Rock. Had a mount done of a bass and am very satisfied with it.

Same here with my crappie mount. I just dusted it off the other night after three years. It still looks life like.
It was still alive when I took it in. MaMa Chipmonk received it. She wrapped it up in newspaper then put it in plastic wrap to freeze it. There was no BSing with Chipmonk; he was strictly business with me. I can imagine the "stool sitters" he would have to walk around if he did much BSing. But, I was 100% satisfied with his work. The fish was a little over 16" for $165 (up front). He provided a peice of driftwood to mount it on mouth open looking over her shoulder.
DP

[titleman]

Thanks guys....good info.

Arkie John...that was good info on the T-shirt. Do you know where i can get an XXL? LOLOL

Does Chipmonk hand paint?

Titleman

[winghunting]

Chipmunk has mounted a few deer, ducks and some turkey fans for me. He does great work and I would recommend him to anyone.

[Arkie John]

I just used my last one...and Spring does not arrive until TOMORROW. :D

That tee shirt tip came from my newly found taxidermist, Don Ingle, 701 Cozy Acres Road, Mtn Pine, AR 71956. In case anyone wants to know, his phone number is 767 3250. He and his wife are full time taxidermists that do most excellent work--nice Christain folks, too.

Be sure and post a photo of that mount when you get it back!

aj

Thanks guys....good info.

Arkie John...that was good info on the T-shirt. Do you know where i can get an XXL? LOLOL

Does Chipmonk hand paint?

Titleman

[LSUguy]

When you have that trophy, soak an old tee-shirt -- not a towel -- and wrap your fish in it completely, soaking wet, inside a plastic bag and freeze it with the fins compressed, making sure they are not in a position that will break them.

Using a towel with its large loop stitching will break a fin if it is caught in it during the freezing process.

Take it to the taxidermist as soon as possible. $7.50 an inch is average price right now. Personally I like my fish to curve out toward the viewer with the mouth open, hand painted and not airbrushed (especially black crappie).

No recommendation for a LR taxidermist. I'm in Hot Springs and just don't know any.

aj

Wow must be rough, everyone here is charging a minimum of $12 per inch.

[DRPEPPER]

Thanks guys....good info.

Does Chipmonk hand paint?

Titleman

I am not sure how he does it. My mount looks like it could flop off the wall and swim away. Very life like.
DP