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Field Care
*Proper field care of a trophy fish, bird or mammal will have a direct result on the outcome of the mounted specimen. Good taxidermy work begins as soon as the fish is in the boat or the buck is on the ground. Here are some instructions on proper field care techniques: |
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Never:
-Leave an animal or a hide in the sun.
-Let a furred animal soak wet.
-Drag an animal for mounting or the hide may be ruined.
-Cut the throat of a trophy.
-Allow an animal to lay at mild temps for extended periods.
-Hand with ropes around the neck.
Birds
In the Field
-Select only mature birds with full plumage for mounting.
-Once the bird is in hand, care must be taken to avoid any further damage to the feathers, incurred by rough handling, until the bird can be placed in a freezer or better yet taken to the taxidermist.
At Home
-To protect the plumage from draining blood and body fluids, fill the bill or any shot holes where blood may damage feathers with cotton balls or wrap with a rag to prevent further bleeding.
-White plumage soiled by blood or other fluids should be rinsed in cold water to help preserve the color of the feathers.
-Wrap the bird's feet in wet paper towels to prevent dehydration in the freezer.
-Lay the head of the bird alongside of the body and gently roll in 2-3 sheets of newspaper or a towel.
-Place the wrapped bird in a plastic bag and secure the top.
-Freeze.
Fish
In the Field
-Handle fish as gently as possible to prevent scale or fin damage.
-Avoid fish baskets, stringers, gaffs, and landing nets whenever possible.
-Avoid gutting the fish.
At Home
-Take good color photos of your fish whenever possible. Notes pertaining to color incentives, etc... will be of great help to the taxidermist.
-Rinse the fish with cold water, with the scales free of slime and blood.
-Wrap in a wet towel to protect the fins.
Gameheads
In the Field
-Skinning a game head is accomplished with a Y cut as illustrated in the caping diagram posted below. Also notice the behind the shoulder cut. This is important that you do not cut the cape too short. Behind the front legs is good.
-Once the cape has been removed the ears, lips, nose and mouth must be attended to.
-Deliver to the taxidermist as soon as possible or freeze the animal right away.
A word about fur:
-Upon death deterioration begins immediately. The rate of deterioration can be greatly slowed or increased by temperature. A fox for example may lay for no more than six hours at 60 degrees or may be ruined. The same fox may last for several days at 40 degrees or less.
-Leave an animal or a hide in the sun.
-Let a furred animal soak wet.
-Drag an animal for mounting or the hide may be ruined.
-Cut the throat of a trophy.
-Allow an animal to lay at mild temps for extended periods.
-Hand with ropes around the neck.
Birds
In the Field
-Select only mature birds with full plumage for mounting.
-Once the bird is in hand, care must be taken to avoid any further damage to the feathers, incurred by rough handling, until the bird can be placed in a freezer or better yet taken to the taxidermist.
At Home
-To protect the plumage from draining blood and body fluids, fill the bill or any shot holes where blood may damage feathers with cotton balls or wrap with a rag to prevent further bleeding.
-White plumage soiled by blood or other fluids should be rinsed in cold water to help preserve the color of the feathers.
-Wrap the bird's feet in wet paper towels to prevent dehydration in the freezer.
-Lay the head of the bird alongside of the body and gently roll in 2-3 sheets of newspaper or a towel.
-Place the wrapped bird in a plastic bag and secure the top.
-Freeze.
Fish
In the Field
-Handle fish as gently as possible to prevent scale or fin damage.
-Avoid fish baskets, stringers, gaffs, and landing nets whenever possible.
-Avoid gutting the fish.
At Home
-Take good color photos of your fish whenever possible. Notes pertaining to color incentives, etc... will be of great help to the taxidermist.
-Rinse the fish with cold water, with the scales free of slime and blood.
-Wrap in a wet towel to protect the fins.
Gameheads
In the Field
-Skinning a game head is accomplished with a Y cut as illustrated in the caping diagram posted below. Also notice the behind the shoulder cut. This is important that you do not cut the cape too short. Behind the front legs is good.
-Once the cape has been removed the ears, lips, nose and mouth must be attended to.
-Deliver to the taxidermist as soon as possible or freeze the animal right away.
A word about fur:
-Upon death deterioration begins immediately. The rate of deterioration can be greatly slowed or increased by temperature. A fox for example may lay for no more than six hours at 60 degrees or may be ruined. The same fox may last for several days at 40 degrees or less.
