Honey Badger Taxidermy Help

[SubSpider]

Need opinions on this honey badger mount I had done in South Africa. Thankfully the taxidermist sent pictures before shipment, all were good except the honey badger.

I need opinions on what needs to be done to make it look correct, and if it is salvageable by taxidermy.

Might’ve learned my lesson for future taxidermy in SA.

 

[Mekaniks]

Wow…. Yeah…..

What did you request it to look like?

 

[ActionBob]

Either have an open mouth or closed. That whole open lip with clenched teeth is not doing it.

What did you ask for?

I would have them rehydrate and close the lips. Or redo the entire head with an open mouth.

This is mine.

 

[BryceM]

Easiest salvage is probably to close the mouth……. Or just tell them it looks stupidly and see if they agree and suggest a remedy.

 

[Spartan5]

Oh cmon he’s just smiling for the photo!

 

[buck wild]

Here is a badger I personally mounted.

On yours, yes, the upper lip is too curled up, showing much more gum than needed. I assume the top lip is clay and thus should be able to be rehydrated and laid back down, as others have mentioned. Tell them to "tone it down"

In addition, the eyes are too open and the nose is set too high from the top lip line. This might have caused them to do what they did, as possibly the form had too much material in that area, and the skin wouldn't close.

 

[buck wild]

1) Where are its ears ? I couldn't see them from any angle ??

2) There is a large bulge of clay above the right eye. Not sure why but it doesn't match left eye either.

3) Both eye openings are too large and elongated. It's very doubtful you'd ever see the "white" in a live badger eye

4). The gap between the nose and upper lip is too long. You can see where the upper lip should have been. This also caused nose to roll back up on top of the nasal bridge. Likely face on the form was too long and area between the nose and upper lip too deep.

5) Similar problem as 4, but on bottom lip area. Chin is too deep. You can also see where the bottom lip skin is on the mount. 1/8" too low, possibly same form issue as above.

There are other things but pick your battles

PS These are items that would have been very noticable during the test fit and weren't addressed. Not sure I'd have much confidence in the fix, but they should at least try.

 

[Muskox]

Would have been better off as a felted flat skin.

 

[SubSpider]

To answer everyone, here are screenshots I have of my emailed pose request:

Maybe snarling was the incorrect terminology in this case and that’s where confusion stemmed from?

 

[Albert GRANT]

Come on, show the picture you really gave them to go by!

All jokes aside, I hope you can get it fixed to your liking. Good luck!

 

[Mekaniks]

To answer everyone, here are screenshots I have of my emailed pose request:

Maybe snarling was the incorrect terminology in this case and that’s where confusion stemmed from?

Yup… they tried

 

[Mekaniks]

Yup… they tried

Ask them to redo it with just an open mouth… no snarling. Hope they will work with you. It may cost you tho.
Sometimes what we think and say is not the reality of the finished product.

 

[Tgood1]

Here is a badger I personally mounted.

On yours, yes, the upper lip is too curled up, showing much more gum than needed. I assume the top lip is clay and thus should be able to be rehydrated and laid back down, as others have mentioned. Tell them to "tone it down"

In addition, the eyes are too open and the nose is set too high from the top lip line. This might have caused them to do what they did, as possibly the form had too much material in that area, and the skin wouldn't close.


View attachment 739664View attachment 739665

Fantastic mount, great lampshade as well

 

[buck wild]

@SubSpider based on what I see, no matter of terminology was going to fix the basic anatomy problems. They didn’t get the wrong attitude. They made a animal unknown to man

 

[major hunter]

Need opinions on this honey badger mount I had done in South Africa. Thankfully the taxidermist sent pictures before shipment, all were good except the honey badger.

I need opinions on what needs to be done to make it look correct, and if it is salvageable by taxidermy.

Might’ve learned my lesson for future taxidermy in SA.

that sucks, especially on a HB. Perhaps you could get a "good" place to remount but who knows if they can. Would never get work overseas. poor quality and even worst shipping.

 

[Hunt anything]

Hopefully they can rehydrate and remount, I had a taxidermist rehydrate and remount a roan that wasn’t posed how I asked and it turned out fine.
@buck wild great piece of work.

 

[MarkB]

Sorry for your mount, hate to say it buts its African taxidermy. Less than home amateur compared to NA. I see many issues and small details that were not completed, its "look" is obviously an issue but little things like pinning toes so they all dry natural was not done. Hard to see in pic but it looks "skinny", no belly swoop.

My thoughts on African taxidermy is verified even now, I am dealing with mounting the 22 tanned animals from my last safari. Skinners cutting of ear buts, "extra" 9" cuts in my lion skin, no eye skin and on and on. Funny how these issues are hardly ever encountered when NA outfitters hides are received. NA guides do a far better job than African skinners in my experience.

I hope they can fix your HB, after soaking up without getting hair loss or slippage. Not an awesome trophy that can be easily replaced.

Good luck.

MB