Field Care For Your Trophy
*Always check local, state, and federal game and fish regulations for all species. Some species have size limits and others require special permits for possession.*
Critters Taxidermy offers the following information to aid in the preparation of your trophy for transport. We are available for further consultation and pre-hunt advice to ensure a quality product for you.
Animal skins are perishable and must be treated as such. From the moment a trophy is taken, the natural process of decomposition begins. You and I are fighting the fact, every moment we are working on your mount. Bacteria are immediately working to break down the hide. You must work as fast and as cleanly as possible to prepare the skin and horns/antlers for transport to us.
Remember, heat and bacteria are of big concern. Field care must be taken seriously to ensure a quality mountable specimen. We encourage clients to know and understand these factors to aid in the goal of a quality mount.
Critters Taxidermy cannot be responsible for the care of skins and horns/antlers before they reach our facility. Improper handling in the beginning can result in a skin that is not mountable.
Small Mammals:
Small mammals such as bobcat and fox should be left whole.
There is no need to field dress these animals. Allow the specimen to cool, then wrap it in plastic. It is best to take these trophies to your taxidermist fresh. If necessary to freeze, wrap in two layers of plastic and lay flat, and “uncurled”. To avoid damage to small feet, thin legs, and around the eyes, ears, and mouth don’t leave in freezer for more than a few months. |
Large Mammals:
Never cut the throat.
Large mammals should be field dressed as soon as possible. Limit the cavity incision to only as large as is absolutely necessary to remove the entrails. Do not cut past the “hard brisket” up into the chest. Try to keep blood and other bodily fluids off of the fur. If water is available, wash out the cavity. Prop the cavity open to allow heat to dissipate. Be sure to always fold the hide “skin to skin” and freeze as soon as possible. To properly freeze, simply place the folded hide in a plastic bag, removing as much excess air as possible, and avoid placing other items on top of this bag. Be aware of the type of mount you have in mind in advance of skinning. Each type of mount has very different methods for skinning. |
Fish:
Fresh water fish should be left whole. Keep them cold. Do not wash off the natural “slime” coating. If necessary to freeze, place fish into a wet towel, being certain that the fins are smoothed and are as flat to the body as possible. Extended or brittle fins are very breakable. After carefully wrapping the fish in a wet towel, place it into a plastic bag. Lay flat to freeze. Never wrap fish in newspaper, this will promote freezer burn.