helpfulhints

For small game and birds, make no cuts, keep specimen cool, clean and dry. Wrap specimen in newspaper or paper towels, place in Paper bag and freeze or bring to a Taxidermist as soon as possible.

For big game, make no cuts past the front legs. If possible, leave the hide attached to the cape, let the Taxidermist cut the hide away from the cape. For the larger game ( caribou, moose, elk, ect) call your taxidermist before you leave for your hunt. He can instruct you on some basic caping and inform you as to which measurements to take fron the specimen before and after caping.

Skins are just as perishable as meat. It is important that you get your trophy to a taxidermist as soon as possible. If you can't get to a taxidermist, place the trophy in the freezer until you can get it to a taxidermist. Salting capes and hides is an alternative when freezing or immediate delivery are not possible. keep in mind, that salt only affects the immediate area that it is applied. It will not protect unturned ears, facial features ( lips, nostrils, eyes, ect.) feet or tails. Salting should be done after all meat and fat have been removed from the skin.

In some states, big games tags must be attached to the ear of the specimen. When tagging the ear, make as smalla hole as possible. Bread bag ties or safety pins work great for attaching tags to ears.

For small mammals ( squirrels, hares, ect) use a feather duster to remove the dirt. You can also fluff the fur by using a hair dryer on low heat and low power. A quick once over with the hair dryer after using the feather duster will allow you to groom the mount with little effort. This method should also be used for freeze dried specimens.

For larger fur bearing mammals ( fox, coyote, bears, ect.) wipe the mount down with a damp cloth. When using the damp cloth, stroke with the hair, moving the cloth from the nose toword the tail. You can then gently groom the mount with the handle of an old tooth brush and a hair dryer. Make sure the hair dryer is set on low heat and low power.

For cloven hoove big game such as deer, sheep, antelope, ect, use only a damp cloth to wipe dust from the mount. Make sure you wipe with the hair, from nose toward tail (Shoulder in case of head mount)

Never use windex or tther glass cleaners on the eyes of a mount. The chemicals in some cleaners can work there way behind the eye and remove the coloration of the eye.

For extremly soiled mounts, contact your taxidermist about finding someone to professionally clean your mount.

Where you display your mount will affect the life of the mount. Placing a mount above a heavily used fire place or heat duct can cause the mount to excessively dry out. Excessive drying out can result in the hide cracking especially in the nose, eyes, and ear area. Placing a mount in a damp dark room ( Garage or basement, ect) will also ruin a mount.