Penn State Extension Wildlife Preservation Certificate

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act strictly prohibits the possession, mounting, or sale of native birds of prey by the general public without specialized federal educational permits. Refusing the specimen is legally required, whereas issuing salvage permits, commercial tags, or affidavits cannot override federal prohibitions for private possession.

A pickle bath requires a highly acidic environment, typically a pH of 1.5 to 2.0, to halt bacterial decomposition and plump the hide for shaving. Higher pH levels (neutral to alkaline) will fail to stop bacterial growth, leading to hair slippage and hide degradation.

CWD prions are extremely resilient and cannot be destroyed by standard boiling, borax, or typical shop incineration. Proper protocol involves safe disposal in approved landfills and soaking tools in a strong (40%) sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution to deactivate the prions.

The ‘A’ measurement (nose to eye) and the ‘B’ measurement (tight neck circumference behind the ears) are the industry standard metrics for sizing a whitetail deer shoulder form. The other measurements are either used for life-size mounts or do not provide the necessary anatomical anchor points for a shoulder mannikin.

Fish skins, particularly from species like trout and salmon, hold immense amounts of oil that must be chemically extracted using solvents or commercial degreasers to prevent future grease bleed. Alum, Bondo, and formaldehyde do not extract the oils and will eventually lead to grease migrating through the scales and ruining the finish.

Dermestid beetles thrive and consume flesh most efficiently in dark, warm environments (75-85F) with moderate humidity. Cold temperatures will induce dormancy or death, while excessively bright or overly humid conditions will stress the colony and promote mold growth.

Bobcats possess vertical slit pupils that must be aligned straight up and down to appear anatomically correct. Horizontal pupils belong to prey animals like deer or goats, and failing to align the felines’ eyes forward ruins the predatory, binocular expression.

Waterfowl like wood ducks have skulls that are significantly wider than their necks, making inversion impossible without tearing the skin. A neat secondary incision at the back of the head allows the skull to pass through safely, avoiding the tissue damage that stretching or crushing would cause.

Hair slip is almost exclusively caused by bacterial decomposition that attacks the hair follicles due to poor field care, heat, or inadequate salting. The only way to arrest this bacterial action is to drop the pH of the hide immediately by placing it in an acidic pickle bath.

Synthetic tanning agents like Lutan-F are acidic powders that can cause severe respiratory irritation if inhaled and contact dermatitis if handled with bare skin. They do not contain heavy metals, are not highly flammable, and do not produce dangerous exothermic reactions when mixed with water.

Applying gentle heat via a heat gun or torch lowers the surface tension of the epoxy, allowing trapped micro-bubbles to rise and pop. Stirring introduces more bubbles, acetone destroys the resin’s finish, and cold temperatures thicken the resin, trapping the bubbles permanently.

Polyurethane forms cannot be bent with heat or dissolved with solvents; they must be structurally altered by cutting, wedging, and re-sculpting the anatomy. Using wire and tape is a structurally unsound method that will fail to support the weight of the hide and antlers.

Hardwood sawdust acts as a natural desiccant and abrasive, absorbing slippery grease and allowing the taxidermist to safely push the fat off with a fleshing knife. Hot water promotes bacterial growth, lye destroys the skin fibers, and grinding frozen hides causes irreversible damage to the hair follicles.

Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Appendix II species require an export permit from the country of origin to ensure the trade is not detrimental to the survival of the species. An import permit is typically only required for Appendix I species, and transporting regulated wildlife without documentation is a severe federal offense.

Curing epoxy often produces a byproduct known as ‘amine blush,’ a waxy surface layer that repels water-based acrylic paints. This blush must be removed via washing or scuff-sanding to allow proper paint adhesion; thinning with incompatible solvents or increasing air pressure will not solve the chemical barrier.

To achieve a lifelike flight pose, the wing wire must replicate the natural skeletal structure by anchoring at the exact location of the glenoid cavity (shoulder joint). Anchoring in the breast or tail results in anatomical distortion, and loose attachments lead to structural failure over time.

Synthetic tanning oils require a specific pH range (usually around 4.0 to 5.0) to properly bind to the collagen fibers. If the hide is too acidic from the pickle, the tan will sit on the surface, leaving the leather untanned, stiff, and prone to shrinkage and cracking over time.

Modern hide pastes are formulated to be lightweight, resist mold growth via fungicides, and offer adequate ‘slip’ (working time) to adjust the hide before curing without shrinking. They do not dry instantly, expand to fill voids, or degrease the hide.

Taxidermists are legally and ethically bound to refuse illegally harvested wildlife and must report poaching violations to the proper authorities. Accepting the work, charging fees, or failing to document the intake makes the taxidermist an accessory to the wildlife crime.

Drumming occurs when the skin shrinks and bridges across the concave inner bowl of the ear liner. This is prevented by using strong adhesives and physically clamping or pinning the skin deep into the concavity of the liner while the hide dries and sets.