Field Care
Helpful Hints For Better Trophies
A taxidermist is often handicapped in creating a beautiful
mount due to the poor condition of the raw material the hunter brings in.
Do yourself a favor and see that your game heads and hides receive the best
possible care and that they are placed in the hands of your taxidermist as soon
as possible. This will assure you of better mounted trophies.
BIG GAME ANIMALS: to properly skin
animals proceed as follows: make initial cut behind the front legs in order to
include enough of the brisket for a full shoulder mount. Cut around the
animal, across the chest about 6
inches behind the front legs, also skin out about 6 inches of each front leg.
You may now peel the skin forward from the shoulders, up the neck, to the head ,
leaving approximately 2 to 3 inches of neck. Freeze and bring to
the shop. DO NOT CUT HOLES IN SCALP, DO NOT CUT THROAT OR BRISKET AND DO NOT
STORE HIDE IN A PLASTIC TRASH BAG! Moister and heat create bacteria and
you will wind up with HAIR SLIPPAGE!
SMALL ANIMALS: do not skin or remove the internal
organs. If possible bring directly to the taxidermist. If not
possible, freeze the animal whole in a plastic bag immediately and take to the
taxidermist as soon as possible.
FISH: for mounting, fish should be left whole.
Refrain from making any cuts or incisions. Wrap fish in a wet towel, place
in a plastic bag, and freeze. Take to the taxidermist ASAP.
BIRDS: do not remove internal organs or make any
kind of cuts. Store in a cloth bag of some type and freeze or take it to
the taxidermist ASAP.