mounting a porcupine?

[skyhawk1]

Has anyone ever mounted a porcupine? I really want to try and mount one. Am I crazy for even thinking about it?????

[dongiese]

:SHOCKED::lol:

[chris_kreiner]

Good Luck. Have fun. I predict pain in your future.:yikes:

[bigcountrysg]

Be very careful. I heard they can be a prick at times.:lol::yikes:

[Joeker51]

Thread title kinda threw me off there for a second.:yikes::lol: Stick with it some one will give you an answer.

[Ebowhunter]

Hopefully Randy will check in.

[skyhawk1]

thanks now I feel like I am crazy for wanting to try it.I have mounted ducks, deer shoulder mounts,squirrels,pigs. I have never seen a porcupine mount and I would really like to give it a try. I need to get one first.LOL Any suggestion on where I can find one that is not damaged and would make a good mount?

[Mitchell Ulrich]

but its a pain everywhere else!

I've done several. I swear that I will never do another one, but somehow, I get talked into it.

First thing that you will notice is that the skin is more like a bird skin. The quills are just that..quills. The skin tears easily...like a bird, if you cut through the quill butts, (form the flesh side) they fall out. The tips are barbed , not if, but when they come in contact with any soft surface they stick and you just lost quills. Since the odds of him growing new ones are pretty small, every quill counts. So, try your best to avoid doing this. Constantly be aware of where and what the tail is doing at all times! This is the major danger zone...bad things happen quickly when your not watching it!

I prefer to cut ankle to ankle on most medium to small life-size specimens, and mount the same way. I usually cut off the arms and if need be the legs. Then use bondo to reattach during the mounting process. I suggest the same for this guy.
You're going to find that there is usually not a great deal of fat or meat that sticks to the skin. However, it must be removed prior to tanning. I use a wire wheel to get the fat/meat off...like you do a bird.

Sooner or later your going to get stuck to the point where the quill wont just free itself when pulled on. Soaking in fingernail polish remover and or vinegar usually dissolves the barbs to the point where you don't feel it...usually, but not always. Dogs just love to eat what they find on the floor and mine is no different. A quill in the throat is a sure trip to the Vet! NO DOGS IN THE SHOP!

I"m not telling you to not try it, but rather I would suggest that you gain more skill in other less complicated areas before taking up this sticky proposition.

Mitch.

[skyhawk1]

Ok I will get more experience before I try one. When I do get ready to mount one I will look you up Mitch and you can show me step by step on how to mount one if that is ok. Do you have pic's of the ones you have done? I would like to see them. thank you

[jackbob42]

If you happen to " get stuck " doing one , make sure you get ALL the quill out.
Know a guy that got one between his knuckles of his first and second fingers. Didn't get them all out and lost both fingers (amputated) due to infection.
BE VERY CAREFUL !

[skyhawk1]

Is there anything you can use to protect your hands. Thanks to everyone who has given me advice. I think I will wait on mounting one till I have alittle more practice on mounting. Thanks everybody.

[hungry hunter]

so after the mount is done is it dangerous to have around, I have often thought it would be a cool looking mount but haven't come across one out in the woods as of yet.after the mounts all done you can still get stuck?

[skyhawk1]

That was another question i was wondering. There are 3 labs in our house and they are all duck dogs. They don't mess with the mounts we already have.

[jackbob42]

DON'T TAKE THE CHANCE !
Put it under glass !

[WeimsRus]

DON'T TAKE THE CHANCE !
Put it under glass !

Hmmm, Porky under glass. Might just be another good Entree.