It is widely known that the majority of animal specimens we receive to mount have been shot with bullets, broadheads, slugs, or pellets. Damage to the skin caused by shot holes must be properly repaired to maintain overall quality.

Bird skins that have pellet shot holes usually do not need a lot of attention, unless a pellet has ripped the skin. If so, it must be repaired. Pellet holes in animal skins should be closed so hide paste will not go through to the fur. This is easily done by placing a small drop of cyanoacrylate glue (Super Glue) in the hole. The gel type works better and usually does not leak through the hole. These glues also work well with semi-moist skins.

Small caliber bullet holes are usually not much of a problem. In long hair animals, they can be closed with a couple of stitches. Short hair hides require a repair technique used for large caliber shot holes.

Large caliber and slug holes require some study before making a proper repair. Damaged and missing hair areas on an entrance wound should be removed prior to sewing. More hair damage usually results when the animal/target was broadside or quartered toward the shooter. An exit wound usually results in less damage. Cut and burned hair not removed during the repair will usually be obvious on short- and medium-hair-length animals, such as deer, antelope, caribou, etc...

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