Ron's Taxidermy

                                TROPHY CARE

You are going on a hunt or fishing trip and hope to get a trophy.  You need to know how to care for it in order to properly get it to our shop.

TROPHY CARE

Whenever possible it's always best to take a specimen for mounting to your taxidermist while it is still fresh. If not. proper care and storage can insure your trophy of arriving in the best possible condition.

BIRDS: No. 6 shot or I lighter is best as heavy shot does too much damage to the body and feathers. A Kleenex tissue or sonic dead grass stuffed in the beaks is a good way to absorb blood which may soil feathers. Do not gut, but leave whole and keep as cold as possible, or for prolonged periods wrap securely in a heavy plastic bag and freeze. Large birds, such as a turkey, that has to be left out in warm weather for two days or more may be field dressed by making a lengthwise incision between the base of the tail and the breast bone.

SMALL MAMMAL AND REPTILES: Do not gut, and as with birds, keep cold or wrap in a plastic bag and freeze. 

FISH: Do not gut or gill Fish. Keep them cold and wet or for prolonged periods, wrap in a WET towel, (Turkish is best), place in a plastic hag and &freeze.

GAME HEADS: Throat cutting and sticking should always he avoided, as it may cause damage that will show up after mounting and is rarely, if ever any advantage as far as “bleeding” purposes are concerned. Don’t hang game by the neck as it leaves a rope burn that will show after mounting. When Field dressing, end the belly incision at the brisket. For full shoulder mounts save all the hide from 6” behind the front legs including the brisket and top portions of the legs. Whenever possible, it’s best to skin the entire animal from its hind legs down to the base of the neck, making no cuts in the neck skin. Then pull the skin part way down the neck and sever it from the carcass leaving the head and entire skin attached. This is the cleanest way to remove a cape and we will be assured of having enough skin for a full shoulder or life-size mount.

Diagrams below show proper patterns for marking game heads, and rugs or full body.

Never store or transport unfrozen specimens in closed plastic hag or other airtight containers. A cape handled in this manner can rot in a very short time.

        Master Measurer

Safari Club International