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It is something every one should know. We sports people never know when we will get that trophy. It is
important that we know what to do so we take care of it properly. This starts from the time the trophy is dead. This is the time to decide if it is going to go to a taxidermist. Cause if it is it
should be handled properly. There are many things to consider. I will list something's later on different trophies. But know I want to tell you about something's no to take for granted. If you are
going hunting with an outfitter don't assume they will care for it properly.
I have seen good outfitters that is ones good at getting the hunter good trophies.
But have handled the care after very poorly and even cause the hunter to not be able to get it mounted. And the opposite for other outfitters. Being lousy guides for animals and good care before bring to
a taxidermist. And there is the outfitter who knows it all. But you the hunter might not know this when you book that hunt. So you should know how to care for it yourself. You will be glad you do
if you get that trophy and the outfitter doesn't know. And you will be liked by all in the camp after helping other hunters. You should take the time to learn because you never know what the you will
encounter. The more you are prepared the better. I will go over things you should know. I may not cover it all cause I have not had or heard of it yet.
This is some general stuff to consider. The weather is a big factor in how
long you have to care for that trophy. A good rule is it there are blow flies out it is to warm to keep that trophy out. If going on a hunt for a week you cant depend on the weather being cold enough to
keep that trophy good. From year to year the same week can be quit different. The sooner you decide you are going to get it mounted the better. I have seen and heard people get a trophy and think about
it. By the time they decide it has started to spoil. Some you should do if going on a long hunt is what is available to you in the area. Can you but you trophy in a cooler or freezer. If you get a trophy
the first day of a 10 day hunt you have to be able have some way of keeping it. On coolers there are things you should know. If you but something in one make certain it is cold enough. I have seen
trophies spoil in coolers cause they
were not cold enough. You can't leave a trophy in a cooler a month and expect it to be good. Try leaving a package of steaks in your refrigerator that long. What
do you think it will look like? I only tell you because I have seen this things being done. Freezers are the same.
You should always ask how cold do you keep your cooler, freezer. The best on coolers are below 38 degrease. freezers should be below 15 degrease. The colder the better. Check this things out before you go with an outfitter or where ever you go. Don't take anything for granted. This is often over looked when planning a hunt. As for salting down hides it is another area that can have problems. If salting is to be done all parts have to be skinned out. Case in point. A hunter shoots a bear takes it back to camp. It is skinned out and salted. Well the skin is taken off the body and cuts the feet off at the wrist and head at the back of the skull. Salts the skin down and rolls it up. When the bear was taken to me the head and feet had hair slipping. The hunter was not to blame for this. The outfitter did this. You see
the hunter got his bear the first day and the week was above normal temperatures. If salting is to be done the entire animal has to be skinned out. That includes the ears being turned inside
out. I can say it is not easy to do. It is something not to many other people but taxidermist know how to do properly. But I have seen some outfitters who knew how. Keep this in mind if you go hunting
and see someone salting an animal that is not properly skinned out. The more you can learn about care for
that trophy the better off you will be. This are some of the biggest errors I have seen.
I will try to tell certain thing to do and not do. In general you should never do any unnecessary cuts in them. Say for placing transportation tag, cutting throat, cutting to hang or to drag. Rope around neck is bad. It bends or can break hair on animals with hallow hair. About dragging long distance can wear all hair off the animal. When back from a hunting trip the sooner you get it to a taxidermist the better. I know you need to show if off to friends and relatives but you can do it and get it over. Take your pictures also.
On skinning out you should check with a taxidermist first. Don't listen to your buddy or anyone who tells you they know how to do it. Unless you can trust them. I have seen to many skinned out wrong. At this point you can bring it to a taxidermist and let him/her tell you how or they can skin it out for you. Small animals, fish and birds can be taken in ungutted. There many questions that can be answered by just calling a taxidermist. You should take the time to find out all the laws as to what or if any paper work is needed before you go. In some states you will need to bring this papers with you to the taxidermist. So keep them after you get back from your hunting trip. Well that is something to get you stared on. There is another side to getting that trophy done you need to consider. That is getting a good job on it. So just go to my site and order yours before you forget. This is as or more important cause you plan on having that trophy around for a long time.
Dennis Theriault has been in the taxidermy industry for over 25 years. He write this not to try
and get more customers, but rather to share the knowledge YOU need to know before you lay out the hard earned cash to your next taxidermy task. Contact him if you need advice or have questions
here.
Dennis Theriault
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