How to Make Taxidermy Mount Bases

Taxidermy involves the preservation of animals and fish. Many hunters and anglers decide to have game or fish mounted by a taxidermist as a remembrance of the hunt or fishing trip. Animals or fish often are mounted on a base for display. The use of natural objects as the base helps to add a sense of realism and captures the environment from which the game or fish were taken.

Things You'll Need

  • Limb
  • Saw
  • Garden hose
  • Scrub brush
  • Sandpaper
  • Polyurethane
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a dead tree limb to the desired length of the base. Choose a limb that is similar to that which would be found in the location where an animal was taken. Locate a limb that has been exposed to water when making a mount for a fish.

    • 2

      Trim small branches from the limb. Cut and angle limbs to properly support a mounted animal or fish.

    • 3

      Clean the limb with a garden hose and scrub brush. Dry brush as much dirt or debris from the limb as possible. Rinse loosened debris.

    • 4

      Peel the bark from the limb if desired to expose the pattern of the wood. Remove the bark and sand the wood surface with a fine grit sandpaper to bring out the natural grain of the wood. Wipe the limb with a damp rag to remove sanding dust.

    • 5

      Apply polyurethane in an even coat to the sanded limb. Allow the polyurethane to dry following the manufacturer's recommendations. Sand the finish lightly with fine grit sandpaper and apply a second coat of polyurethane.