Mounted in Alaska Season 1 Episode 2 Maneaters

Mounted in Alaska season 1 episode 2, titled "Maneaters," follows Russ and his team of taxidermists as they work to create lifelike mounts of some of Alaska's biggest predators. In this episode, Russ is faced with the challenge of mounting a cougar and a black bear. The team must work quickly to preserve the animals' hides and create a mount that accurately represents the animals' natural behavior and movement.

The episode begins with Russ receiving a call from a client who has just returned from a hunting trip in Alaska. The client has bagged a large cougar and wants Russ to create a mount for him. Russ and his team get to work on the cougar, first skinning the animal and then stretching the hide over a foam mold. They then add the finishing touches, such as glass eyes and realistic fur textures, to create a lifelike representation of the animal.

Next, Russ and his team move on to a larger project: mounting a black bear. The bear was killed by a hunter who was defending himself from the animal in a remote part of Alaska. Russ and his team face a number of challenges in creating this mount, including the bear's size and the fact that its hide had already been partially damaged by the hunter's bullets. They work tirelessly to restore the hide and create a mount that accurately represents the animal's size and ferocity.

Throughout the episode, Russ and his team share their knowledge and expertise with viewers. They discuss the unique challenges of working with large predatory animals, such as the need to preserve the animal's hide as quickly as possible to prevent decay. They also demonstrate the techniques they use to create lifelike mounts, such as adding clay to the foam mold to create muscle definition and positioning the animal in a way that accurately represents its natural posture and behavior.

Along the way, Russ and his team share stories of their experiences in Alaska and the unique challenges they face as taxidermists in such a remote and wild environment. They discuss the importance of preserving animals not just as trophies, but as a way to honor their place in the ecosystem and educate people about the importance of conservation.

Overall, Mounted in Alaska season 1 episode 2 is a fascinating look at the art and science of taxidermy, as well as the unique challenges faced by those who work in this field in Alaska. Viewers will come away with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and majesty of Alaska's predator species, as well as the skill and dedication required to create lifelike mounts that accurately represent these animals.