Click
here for detailed field care instructions provided by McKenzie
Taxidermy Supply.
Field
Care Instructions
The amount of care you
take of your trophy in the field has EVERYTHING to do with the
quality of the finished product. Poor care can mean unattractive
mounts, costly repair work, or complete loss of the specimen.
Following these guidelines, and a little common sense, will
insure your trophy will arrive at our shop in good condition.
Game
heads
• NEVER cut the throat.
• NEVER hang the trophy by the neck with a rope.
• NEVER cut down the back or up the brisket.
• NEVER get the hide wet.
• NEVER drag the animal if possible, especially on shoulders.
• ALWAYS get the animal to the taxidermist immediately.
• ALWAYS freeze your trophy immediately if you can’t
get to the taxidermist right away.
• ALWAYS save plenty of hide. Too much is better than
too little. See pictures below as an example on where to cut.
Fish
• Avoid netting the fish, as nets will split the fins
and tail.
• Be very gentle with the fish, and try to avoid losing
any scales.
• Freeze the fish as soon as possible to help retain some
of its natural markings.
• When freezing a fish, carefully lay its fins next to
the body and wrap the fish in a WET towel. This will help eliminate
freezer burn
• Avoid keeping the freezer for very long. A fish frozen
in this manner will last much longer than if it were unprotected
(such as wrapped in newspaper, foil, dry towel, etc.) but I
would still suggest getting it to your taxidermist within 3
months or so.
Birds
• After harvesting
your bird immediately dab any blood from the feathers with a
soft cloth or paper towel.
• NEVER wring the birds neck!!!
• Handle the bird VERY gently and avoid losing ANY feathers.
Try to handle the bird only by the feet if possible.
• If available, slide the bird in an old pair of panty
hose. Otherwise you may wrap it in a dry towel.
• Place in a plastic bag and freeze.
• Get the bird to the taxidermist as soon as possible.
Birds freezer burn very quickly!
