FIELD CARE
You probably have heard, A great mount starts in the field. How you handle your trophy in the field has EVERYTHING to do with the finished product. Mishandling could lead to a unattractive mount, additional cost in repairs, or even the complete loss of your trophy. Following these guidelines will help you care for your trophy.
BIRDS
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NEVER wring the birds neck
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Carefully wipe the blood from feathers, Place a small piece of paper towel in mouth to keep fluids from leaching out.
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Try to hand retrieve when possible
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Freeze the bird as soon as possible if you can't deliver the bird to the taxidermist
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DO NOT wrap your bird in paper or absorbent material as this will draw moisture from the bird accelerating freezer burn
FISH
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Handle fish carefully, try to avoid loosing any scales
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Never freeze the fish in news paper or absorbent material as this will promote moisture loss and accelerate freezer burn
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Wrap fish in wet towel and place in plastic trash bag and freeze flat
GAMEHEADS
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NEVER cut the animals throat
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NEVER hang the animal by the neck with a rope
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NEVER cut into the brisket region with your field dressing cut, stop the cut at the sternum
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Avoid dragging your animal when possible, if you must lift shoulders off ground to drag
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Get your animal to the taxidermist as soon as possible or freeze
Diagram for removing cape
(Other diagrams may be found in the printable field care, provided by McKenzie Taxidermy)
LIFESIZE
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Animals of Coyote size and smaller, DO NOT field dress
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Small mammals will spoil quickly due to thin hide and bacteria, freeze as soon as possible to stop bacteria growth
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Large lifesize should be skinned by either dorsal or ventral incision, determined by mount type ( rug or lifesize)