What People Say About Taxidermy — and What’s Actually True

There are many misconceptions about taxidermy — and some of them can complicate the work of a taxidermist or create unrealistic expectations for clients expecting a flawless result. Some myths come from oversimplifying the process, others from not understanding how taxidermy really works.
We’ve put together a clear overview of the myths we encounter most often — and an explanation of what’s actually true.

Myth 1 – A taxidermist can fix any damaged hide.

A skilled taxidermist can repair a lot — but certainly not everything.
Damage caused by heat, bacterial decomposition, long exposure to sunlight, or improper skinning is often irreversible.

A taxidermist can repair:
   • small cuts
   • minor scars
   • the edges around bullet wounds

A taxidermist cannot repair:
   • hides affected by bacterial slip
   • hides dried out by direct sunlight
   • large tears or missing pieces of tissue
   • hides where the hair has slipped due to poor salting or bacterial activity

At our workshop, we always start by carefully assessing the condition of the hide and choosing the approach with the best chance of success. Even with heavily damaged skins, we do everything possible — but we cannot promise miracles.
If the hide is beyond rescue, we openly discuss all realistic options, including using a replacement hide. We keep a large stock of hides from many species for exactly this purpose. A good result always begins with proper field preparation and immediate handling after the hunt.

Myth 2 – All eyes look the same.

Eyes are one of the most important details of any mount.
It’s not only about color — it’s also the shape, curvature, size, and depth of placement. Every species has its own eye type, and the difference between high-quality and cheap eyes is instantly recognizable.

Correctly chosen and properly set eyes influence:
   • the animal’s expression
   • overall natural appearance
   • realism of the gaze
   • head proportions

Poorly shaped, incorrectly colored, or shallow-set eyes can ruin the entire mount.
Quality eyes — and precise work with them — are a key element of professional taxidermy.

At Franc & Zugar Taxidermy, we use only high-grade glass eyes from trusted European and American manufacturers — never plastic. They match real anatomy and allow us to create a natural, species-accurate expression.

Myth 3 – Mannequins (polyurethane forms) are universal and can be used straight from the mold.

A mannequin is always just the starting point.
Every animal has different proportions, expression, and size, which means forms must be adjusted — sometimes slightly, sometimes extensively.

In practice, this means:
   • adding or removing material
   • adjusting the angle of the head and neck
   • slightly lowering the head on strong trophies
   • reshaping key lines to match the real structure of the animal

Quality taxidermy begins where the “factory shape” ends.
Only after reshaping the form can the hide fit naturally and the mount reflect the true character of the animal.

At Franc & Zugar Taxidermy, we work with a wide range of mannequins, but for full mounts we almost always modify or completely redesign the pose and proportions to match the specific specimen.

Myth 4 – There’s no rush with the hide — it will be fine whenever I bring it in.

Time is one of the most critical factors.
A hide starts degrading very quickly, especially in warm weather. Late skinning, heat exposure, or poor storage can cause irreversible damage.

Best practice:
   • skin the animal as soon as possible
   • cool the hide immediately
   • salt it properly if needed
   • avoid storing it in humid or sealed spaces
   • deliver it to the workshop as soon as you can

The better the starting condition, the better the final result.

For hunters who are new to skin preparation, we’ve created a detailed guide — you can find it HERE.

Myth 5 – African trophies are easier to mount because they’re done so often.

It’s actually the opposite.
African skins are among the most demanding to tan and mount.

During drying and transport, they often develop:
   • shrinkage
   • curled or flattened edges
   • cracks and splits
   • damage caused by salt, parasites, or pressure
   • old or deep wounds

African hides are also thicker and tougher, requiring more time, strength, and experience.

Poses are rarely “standardized”, either.
African game varies greatly in horn shape, body mass, neck structure, and overall proportion. Each trophy needs a tailored adjustment to the form so the mount looks natural.

At Franc & Zugar Taxidermy, we approach each African trophy individually — assessing its condition, modifying the form, and designing the composition to fit the real proportions and horn shape.

Myth 6 – Bird taxidermy is simple and quick, so it should be cheap.

Bird taxidermy is one of the most delicate disciplines of the craft — and very different from mounting mammals.
It involves extremely thin skin, a fragile body structure, and feathers that cannot tolerate rough handling.

Proper bird taxidermy requires:
   • precise work with proportions
   • sculpting a custom body, often without using commercial forms
   • careful alignment of every single feather
   • invisible repair of skin damage

The final mount may look light and effortless — but it is highly technical work.

At Franc & Zugar Taxidermy, bird taxidermy is a specialized field handled by colleagues with many years of experience. It is a blend of craftsmanship and fine art, and we dedicate as much time as each specimen needs to achieve a natural, lifelike result. We are proud to be one of the few studios that still actively offer professional bird taxidermy — many workshops have moved exclusively to commercial big-game work.

Myth 7 – A diorama is just a nice (and expensive) base.

A diorama isn’t decoration — it’s an integral part of the mount.
It sets the atmosphere, directs the viewer’s eye, defines space, and influences the overall impression.
A well-designed diorama can enhance the animal’s expression, add context, and even gently conceal damage from hunting or transport that would be more visible on a simple base.

A good diorama:
   • matches the species
   • reflects its natural environment
   • complements the pose and expression
   • supports the quality of the mount
   • defines how the trophy will look in the interior

At Franc & Zugar Taxidermy, every diorama is designed individually. We base it on the actual specimen, its expression, body structure, and the interior where it will be placed. We avoid artificial “glitz” — our goal is a natural, authentic setting that preserves the story of the hunt.

Myth 8 – Saying ‘a classic pose’ is enough — the taxidermist knows what I mean.

“Classic pose” can mean many different things.
For one hunter it’s a straight head position, for another a slight turn, and for someone else a more dramatic angle or expression. Without references or photos, it’s often unclear what exactly the client has in mind.

The animal itself also plays a key role.
Neck size, body mass, mane length, anatomical features, and desired expression can all significantly affect how a pose looks once mounted.

A short consultation or a few reference photos can make a huge difference.

At Franc & Zugar Taxidermy, we always discuss pose options in detail and provide visual examples and recommendations based on the actual specimen. This ensures a natural result that respects both the animal’s anatomy and the client’s vision.

Myth 9 – An African hide arrives ready for mounting.

Nothing could be further from the truth.
Salting is only a method of preservation for transport — not preparation for mounting.

After the journey, hides are usually dry, stiff, curled, or cracked and require rehydration, softening, and extensive repair. Tanning African hides is a highly specialized process handled only by a small number of professional tanneries — and we source them from across Europe.

Before a hide can be mounted, it must be:
   • rehydrated to restore flexibility
   • flattened and reshaped
   • trimmed and cleaned
   • prepared so it fits the form correctly

African hides are not a ready-to-use product — they require professional processing.

At Franc & Zugar Taxidermy, we fully assess every African hide, address damage caused by drying and transport, and prepare it according to the exact proportions of the animal. Our long-term collaboration with reliable tanneries allows us to achieve the flexibility, shape, and cleanliness needed for a high-quality mount.

Myth 10 – All taxidermy studios work the same — only the price differs.

The differences between taxidermy studios are significant — in technology, experience, equipment, and attention to detail.

Quality taxidermy is not defined by a single step, but by the entire process from receiving the hide to the final inspection.

Key factors include:
   • sculpting the form to match the actual specimen
   • working precisely with expression, proportions, and anatomy
   • experience with specific species
   • meticulous drying, finishing, and quality control
   • time-consuming detail work that isn’t visible, but defines the result

Lower prices often reflect shortcuts: less time spent shaping the form, reduced attention to detail, or faster techniques that may fail over time — resulting in loss of expression, shrinkage, hair issues, or instability.

At Franc & Zugar Taxidermy, we prioritize quality over speed. Every mount undergoes detailed evaluation, custom form adjustments, precise expression work, and thorough inspection. We use premium materials, invest in top-tier equipment, and work with specialists because true quality cannot be rushed.

Our prices reflect the time, craftsmanship, and materials required to create mounts that retain their shape and expression for many years — meeting international standards.

In Conclusion

Most taxidermy myths stem from misunderstanding or oversimplifying the process.
A quality trophy is always the result of proper field preparation, careful work in the studio, and an appropriate final presentation. Every step matters — and the right approach often determines how the mount will look months or even years later.

If you’re unsure about any step or situation, feel free to contact us — we’re always happy to advise and help prevent issues that are difficult or impossible to fix later on.