Taxidermy

Other Taxidermy hints and troubles

A taxidermists job is to create a mount that you will be proud of. In order to do this, you have to help out by getting the animal, fish, or bird to him with as little damage as possible. Most problems are related to the condition of the specimen created before the taxidermist has even seen it. By following the steps on proper field care, you trophy has an excellent chance of arriving in perfect condition. Here are a few more hints to help you and your taxidermist start out on the right foot.

• If you anticipate you may be collecting a specimem you want mounted, bring salt. If you are going on a hunt of a lifetime, 5 to 10 lbs of non-iodized table salt will keep your cape from spoiling and the end result should last a lifetime.
• Call your taxidermist with any questions prior to your hunt. Remember, he wants your business and will help you with skinning instructions etc. so he receives the animal in perfect condition.
• Bring a tape measure and small pad of paper. Take some measurements of the animal before you skin it. Tip of the nose to the front corner of the eye, Tip of the nose to the back of the skull, Circumference of the neck, and any other measurement you feel is important.
• When you bring your animal in, be sure to have your tags an license numbers handy. These are records that the taxidermist needs to have and he will turn you away if you don't have them.
• If you are going to be hunting when the animals antlers will be in velvet and you want them mounted that way, call ahead of time to your taxidermist. Velvet antlers are difficult to preserve and will rot and stink if not taken care of properly in the field. That call may save your antlers and will create a stunning mount.