Bobcat mounting question

[bjordnolf]

I've got a big cat on my property that I am thinking of trying to get, but am wondering if there is a way to skin it and eat it and still get the full body mount done? I know most guys just take the full frozen carcass to the taxidermist but I dont want to shoot it if  I'm not gonna eat it too.
thanks

[pronghorn23]

It probably depends on the pose you want it mounted in as far which way to skin it.

Skinning could be tough in order not to damage it if you've never skinned a whole animal for mounting purposes. Definetely wouldn't want to damage or ruin it.

Best but would probably be to pick out a good taxidermist and discuss it with him or her. Maybe you could ice it like a deer and bring it in the next day?
Or maybe you could call the taxidermist right after you get it and see if you can bring it right to him, let him skin it there and you could take the meat?

[shortstroke 91]

I would imagine if you froze it solid the taxidermist would be able to refreeze it and give it back.

[reddogge]

I never heard of anyone eating a bobcat myself.

[LoneWolf73]

I would ask the Taxitermist you are going to use. But from what I know....A bobcat is going to be "cased" skinned. But before you skin it take some measurements for the Bobcat form.
Life-Size Bobcat  
Forms features can be identified by letter groups at the end of the item's name.

"-OM" is an Open mouth form
"-R" tells you there are rods used to strengthen legs
"-CL" indicates that that form uses the Cast Lip and Nose System
 

 How to Measure for Bobcat Mounts
  A: Eye-to-nose measurement
  C: Belly circumference
  D: Total length
  Note: All measurements, except nose-to-eye, should be taken with the skin off and the carcass posed in the position of the desired mount.
 
Note this last part, skin off. So it should be no problem to eat after you measure. I would also skin leaving the feet attached. Break leg at a knuckle. You can get more detailed info on web looking up Taxidermy Supplies.
Good luck.

[5deer]

skin it like you would enything except the skull and feet/eat the meat and put the hide in a garbage bag in the freezer.then take that to the tax man.i do the skull myself to but you dont have to if you pay him to do it  

[bjordnolf]

Thanks fellas

[Guru]

If you're talking lifesize....your best bet would be to make a dorsal(from the base of the skull along the spine to the base of the tail)incision and skin it out that way. Just cut off the head and leave it with the skin, and cut off the four feet and do the same.

Most any lifesize pose will be best done this way.

[Outwest]

There,s more than one way to skin a cat and you may be counting your chickens before the eggs hatch.

Sorry couldn,t help myself.

John

[caleb7mm]

dont cut it down the back!! skin it fron the vent up the belly to middle of the front legs. then make Y cuts from the middle to the legs and down the back of the legs about half way. Cut the legs tail and head so they are connected to the hide, that way you save meat and the taxidermist has what he needs for the inportant measurments and you LESS apt to mess up the hide that way. If you get him and have any questions email me [email protected]   15 year master taxidermist

[Flint Head]

Sounds like a wok may be in order????

[Gordon martiniuk]

Yes you want to eat it they are the best white meat you will ever get the natives here wouls be mad if they knew someone wasted the meat of a bobcat good luck,

[Arwin]

Ask Whitebuffalo, he is an awesome taxidermist!

[Missouri CK]

From what I've seen Curt aint too bad himself when it comes to taxidermy work. I'd trust him.

[Guru]

Excuse me Caleb!  You must like sewing! It's totally unnecessary to cut the whole bottom side of an animal, then have to sew it back up.  Any taxidermist worth his claim of "master" should know that you can do everything through a dorsal incision and only have one straight seam to sew up......

BJnolf, You should probably ask whatever taxidermist you'll use to mount it.......

[TTTHunter]

dorsal cut is the way to go.