PREPPING FOR TAXIDERMY
It is vital that you properly preserve your trophy for the taxidermist. See below for basic tips, but please call us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
MAMMAL SHOULDER MOUNT
Make the first cut all the way around the animal, in a circle, behind the front legs. Make sure you have enough skin for the taxidermist to work with. It is better to cut too far back, than to cut the skin too far forward. Remember that skins for shoulder mounts must NEVER be cut in front or at the throat. If possible, keep the trophy frozen and let us take the skin from the skull.
Next, loosen the skin all the way around the neck and pull and roll the skin all the way to the neck. Then cut the head from the neck. Put the head in your freezer and bring it to us, or send it to us. It is very important to always call us and get an order number and packing instructions before you send anything to us.
SMALL MAMMALS
Animals, coyote sized or smaller, should not be skinned unless by a professional. Don’t gut the animal. Small mammals, especially carnivores, will spoil quickly because of their thin hide and bacteria. If you can’t take the small game animal immediately to a taxidermist, as soon as the carcass cools completely, put it in a plastic bag and freeze it. With the epidemic of rabies evident in many areas of the country, take every safety measure necessary when handling your game.
TIPS
Always have appropriate tags with your trophies when you take them to your taxidermist. In most states however, The printed tag stays with the consumable meat, NOT the antlers or skin. All parts will need to bear according identification numbers.
Do not cut off the ears for attachment.
For situations where you are hunting with no available taxidermist or freezer, ask your taxidermist about techniques to skin out the entire cape (including the head) and salting the hide. This is the only method in remote locations that can preserve your hide for later mounting.