Great Cove Wildlife Studio Field Care |
BIRDS
Take some time to evaluate a bird for mounting. Select a bird in full plumage with no pinfeathers or broken feathers or bones.
Once you have determined you have a prime bird, wipe any blood off the feathers with a towel and water. Plug the throat and nasal
passages with a small piece of cotton or paper towel to prevent any fluids from getting on the plumage. If you are unable to take
your bird immediately to your taxidermist, place it in a plastic bag, tucking the head under a wing, and roll up the bag, squeezing
as much air out as possible as you roll . Repeat the process with a second bag. Eliminating as much air as possible will help
prevent freezer burn. If a nylon stocking (pantyhose) is available, insert the bird headfirst into this before placing in the plastic bag.
FISH
Start by wrapping the entire fish in a wet towel, taking care to keep the fins flat against the body. Roll it up in a plastic bag and
lay flat in a freezer. Do not wrap a fish in paper or cardboard. If you choose to have a reproduction made, follow the steps outlined below:
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Measure the entire length of the fish.
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Measure the girth of the fish at the widest point.
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If possible, take several color photos from different angles.
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MAMMALS
A professional taxidermist should skin coyote-size and smaller mammals that are intended for life-size mounts.
If you are unable to immediately take your trophy to your taxidermist, allow the animal to cool, then place in
a bag and freeze. If you are planning a hunt for larger mammals, please contact me, and I can advise you on proper
skinning procedures for your trophy.
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GAME HEADS
This caping technique, which should be done
before field dressing or butchering to avoid
bloodying the hair or making cuts that will be
difficult to conceal leaves enough hide for a
shoulder mount.
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Slit the hide in a complete circle at the midpoint of the rib cage. One foot behind the shoulders. Then cut around
both forelegs above the knee.
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Make twin cuts under the chest. Start from the first circular cut around the rib cage and continue along the back of
one leg to join the cut you made above the knee. Then do the other leg.
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Peel the skin forward up to the back of the ears, using your knife as little as possible to
avoid nicks. Holding the skin out of the way, cut through the neck 3 inches behind the head-neck junction.
Twist off the head, complete with antlers and cape, and get it to the taxidermist as quickly as
possible. Place it in double garbage bags and freeze it if you can’t get it to the taxidermist for several days.
Don’t attempt to cape out the head itself unless you are an expert. One mistake could ruin your mount.
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