Handicapped taxidermy?

[Lorax_Of_Gilead]

Hi guys.

Last year my uncle had a serious fall that left him paralyzed from the waist down that's left him in a wheelchair/braces. He was an avid outdoorsman, and although he can still do some of the things he used to do like bowhunt from his friends farm, he's bored out of his mind while staying at home doing nothing.

He had bought some do-it-yourself taxidermy dvds, but he's a bit leery about trying it. I think he's worried about the fleas and ticks, but I told him that he could probably freeze the carcasses for awhile and all the exoparasites would die. I'm not well-versed on the subject, but I don't think any of the chemicals that he would be using are that toxic with adequate ventilation? But him and my aunt are still hesitant, but the man has got to do something or he'll go stir-crazy. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

[ellebeaux]

What about doing Native American beadwork or quillwork and starting with a finished skin?

Or woodcarving?

Or decoy making?

[big rockpile]

There is a number of things he can do.And I would say most things he did before.Just has to go about it different.

If you would like I could give you EMail of a friend of mine that enjoys all kinds of Hunting and Fishing from a Wheelchair.And is willing to help anyone in the same shape.

big rockpile

[Ed Norman]

I normally toss foxes in a garbage bag and give it a big shot of Raid, tie it up, then open and skin after an hour or so. Keeps the fleas out of my beard.

For the small skins, he should be able to get them off from a seated position. Then he rubs on some miracle powder and puts it on the foam form. For big game, he will send the cape off to a tanner and they can breathe all the toxic mess.

I don't see why he couldn't do the job unless he got into full mounts of grizzlies and buffalo. If he got that big in the business, he could afford a helper.

Order some of the kits to do a pheasant or squirrel or rabbit. They have all you need and are cheap enough to see if you like it. I think Van Dyke's and Touchstone are still in business, but ain't sure.

As mentioned he could start out small with small game taxidermy and eventually get into deer mounts. He could also make crafts as mentioned but not just totally indian arts and crafts. He could make knives, snake skin hat bands or waist belts, bow and arrows, fishing lures and rods, or just about anything that has to do with the outdoors.

I would suggest buy several books on outdoor crafts. Don't let his handicapp be a limit to his life but a advantage. He now has a chance to do what many of us wish we could quit work and do. He could set up at craft fairs and sell his art.

[RoyalOaksRanch]

If he has the use of both hands then being in a wheel chair wont be a problem. Hell just need to compensate the hieght, and reach of his work areas...If he doesnt have the use of both hands he'll need a helper mainly for pulling the hides onto the form and getting the hide moved around into position once its on the form, etc.
As far as the chemicals being toxic.. yes they are, hell need to wear gloves and as you mentioned have adequate ventilation. He can do it same as anyone that can walk. Just need to have his tables and sinks and such lower so he can reach in without a hassel..
He can wet tan his own hides for mounting, and for smaller mounts such as squirrels and mink and such he can use Dry Preserve or Borax. Or send them out.
If he doesnt want to invest in an actual school hell want to get alot of videos and books and attend seminars whenever any are around. I went the book, seminar,video rhoute and its been great. Also tell him to get a camara... He will need lots of reference photos and what better way to get out of the house. Close ups of eyes, ears, ear butts, feet, confirmation, differetn poses etc. Or he can serarch the internet for pics too.
It takes ALOT of research if your not going to go to a school, but it can be done. Tell him to study real animals for reference, do NOT use other peoples mounts as reference because then he will be learning their mistakes.
Also hell want to take habitat pics as well so when he does a fox or whatever he will have an idea what plants and such to use to creat a very nice finished mount.
Good luck and tell your Uncle being in a wheelchair only makes him shorter He can do it if he really wants to
Oh and as far as starting on small mammals then working up to deer... Squirrels are one of the HARDEST to do because they are so tiny.. Deer are actually easier LOL... My 7th mount was a deer, there is no reason not to start right in on it. I personally would skip the dang squirrel but it is a learning experience in seeing how much patience you have LOL.. Raccoons are great for learning on, but the forms are pricey. Coyotes and fox are great too but you really need to pay attention to the face features, markings, and the feet. Again fairly pricey forms.. Deer forms are cheaper...
Finding the practise specimins can be the hard part..

[Lorax_Of_Gilead]

Thanks guys. His main concern is not being able to get away incase of an emergency, but I think if my aunt is there and he takes all the safety precautions he should be okay.

[hunter63]

Originally Posted by catalyst

I read the title and thought "who is stuffing a crippled animal?"

Sorry, but I did too, thinking that would be terrible.

FIL was a paraplegic,WW2 vet, did a lot of fly-tying, jigs, shell loading/re-loading, crafts. Sold quite a few.
His work benches were just moved down to his wheel chair height.

[RoyalOaksRanch]

Originally Posted by Lorax_Of_Gilead

Thanks guys. His main concern is not being able to get away incase of an emergency, but I think if my aunt is there and he takes all the safety precautions he should be okay.

I think it would be great for him And as long as he isnt stiffing the chemicals or putting his hand in the flesher he will be just fine without having to be "supervised".. It not much different than him being home alone. Taxidermy isnt like building dynamite. Alot of the chemicals and such that is used is less dangerous than what is probably under most people kitchen sink...
I would recomend he get the sportsman Series.. Its a starter series for beginners. Videos or booklets. The booklets are much cheaper and they work great for just starting out. There are also lots of videos and such that can be bought fairly cheap on ebay. One I recomend is Sallie Dhames Mounting a whitetail A to Z. It shows how to skin, cape, flesh, turn and split the ears, lips nose etc. as well as the entire mounting process and finsihing the deer. Which is what he will need to know whether he is doing coons or elk.
Also if he is able to attend the World Taxidermy Championships are coming up in Reno.. Its a week long event and if he can go the whole week he can see seminars that will teach him ALOT for a fraction of the cost of what it would cost to go to a school. I think its 65 a day or 165 for the week. Its in Reno at the Silver Legacy.. April 17th thru the 21st.. Its not open to the public so anyone who goes (including his wife) would have to register. Spuses are discounted with his regististration. Heres the link.. If you look thru the seminar scehdule you will see he can really benifit from going.. Plus he can decide if its really what he wants to do...
http://www.taxidermy.net/wtc/wtc.html