|
Birds
Take
some time to evaluate a bird for mounting. Select a bird that is has
full plumage with no pin feathers or bones. Wipe any blood off the
feathers with a towel and water. If you are unable to take your bird
immediately to your taxidermist, place it in a plastic bag tucking
the head under a wing, roll up the bag squeezing as much air out as
possible as you roll, repeat the process with a second bag.
|
|
|
|
Mammals
A
professional taxidermist should skin coyote-size and smaller mammals
that are intended for life-size mounts. If you are unable to
immediately take your trophy to your taxidermist, allow the animal to
cool, then place in a bag and freeze.
|
|
Deer
When
field dressing your trophy, do not cut past the front legs. When
skinning, cut around the front leg joint, and up the backside of the
legs. Carefully skin the shoulder and brisket area forward and down
the neck, taking care not to cut any holes. Continue skinning down
the neck until reaching the head and neck juncture. Cut the head from
the neck, ensue there is enough cape for a shoulder mount.
|
|
|
|
Fish
Do
not remove any slime, or as little as possible. Generously wrap the
fish in plastic freezer wrap, then place the fish in a plastic
garbage bag, rolling the bag up around the fish. Next tape off the
bag, finally placing it in cold storage. Quickly freezing the fish,
when available, is the best. Take care when placing your fish in an
ice chest, drink cans and other objects will mark the fish
permanently. Take to your taxidermist as soon as possible.
|
Special
Instructions
Freezing
your trophy is the best short term solution, but due to freezer burn,
your trophy should only be stored in a freezer temporarily. It is
recommended that you get your trophy to your taxidermist as soon as
possible.
Take
care when dragging your deer from the woods. Do not drag against the
hair pattern, when hanging do so by the hind legs, do not hang by the
neck.
If
you are even in doubt about any of the field care procedures please
call me for more information.
|
Copyright(c) 2004 A To Z Taxidermy. All rights reserved.
|
)
)
)
)