Field Care

Caring For Your Game

An incredible mount begins with proper game care. As hunters it is our responsibility to handle our trophy carefully in the field and transporting it to the taxidermist. View the information below for help or for more information on proper game care give us a call.

Small Mammals:

Animals, coyote sized or smaller, should not be skinned unless by a professional. Don't gut the animal. Such animals will spoil quickly because of their thin hide and bacteria. If you can't bring the small game animal immediately to us, put it in a plastic bag and freeze it.

Capping For A Shoulder Mount:

A. With a sharp knife slit the hide circling the body behind the shoulder at approximately the mid-way point of the rib cage behind the front legs just above the knees. An additional slit will be needed from the back of the leg and joining the body cut behind the legs.

B. Peel the skin forward up to the ears and jaw exposing the head/neck junction. Cut into the neck approximately three inches down from the junction. Circle the neck cutting down to the spinal column. After this cut is complete, grasp the antler bases and twist the head off the neck. This should allow the hide to be rolled up and put in a freezer until transporting it to us. These cuts should allow ample hide for the taxidermist to work with in mounting. Remember, we can cut off excess hide but we can't add back what has been cut off. If blood gets on the hide to be mounted, don't wash it off, we'll take care of it. Also, avoid dragging your trophy out of the woods with a rope if possible. The rope, rocks, or limbs could easily damage the hair or puncture the hide.