TROPHY CARE

PROPER CARE IN THE FIELD:

Proper care of your trophy in the field makes all the difference in the world.  First, do not cut the throat.  It is not necessary and creates extra work for the taxidermist.  Proper bleeding can be done through the chest cavity.

Second, allow enough cape.  Always cut at least 8" behind the shoulders.  See the diagram for the correct cuts.  If in doubt, give the taxidermist too much cape.  He can always cut it off later; he can't put it back on.  (Replacement capes are available if you are reading this after the fact.  Call for prices.) 

Third, get the cape off the head and cool quickly.  Time is of the essence.  Bacteria grows quickly.  If you are in the backcountry, bring non-iodized feed salt with you.  (Iodized salt ruins hide.)  A fifty-pound sack runs less than $5 and can save your cape.  Don't be bashful with the salt ... too much won't hurt.

Skinning bears or cougars for lifesize or rugs:  See the diagram for the correct cuts.  Lay your animal on its back.  Begin below the throat area and cut through the belly.  Stop 6" up from the vent and go down the legs from there.  Cutting this way results in a squarer, more attractive rug.

PROPER CARE OF MOUNTED TROPHIES:

GAMEHEAD:  It is extremely important to mount gameheads on studs.  They are too heavy otherwise.  Gently vacuum or take a damp cloth to remove dust from hair.  You can use Windex on the eyes and Liquid Gold on the antlers.  We carry a product to add luster and sheen to the hair, giving it a nice clean feel.  Call us for availability. 

LIFESIZE MOUNTS:  Care is the same as for gameheads (Happy Hair is for hollow-hair animals, like deer, elk, and antelope; it will not work on longhair animals, i.e. cougars).  Prevention of damage is preferable to trying to repair it later.  

FLATS OR RUGS:  Elk or deer flats are hollow-hair and must be handled gently or there will be hair breakage.  These are best suited for decorative purposes with no heavy use, for example as a wall hanging or over the back of an infrequently-used couch.  Bear or cougar rugs should be cared for gently.  The most common breakage occurs in the ears, which are fragile.  The nose can also be a problem area as dogs seem to like to eat the nose if the taxidermist uses the original nose.  For this reason, we prefer to use artificial noses, which give a better appearance. 

BIRD MOUNTS:  Birds must be handled very gently.  We recommend glass or plastic covers for birds to eliminate dust, the most common problem in birds.  We also have available a product to assist in dusting bird mounts.  Call for information.