How to Prepare Your Hunt Trophy for Taxidermy

When setting up your hunting blind, consider the importance of shot placement for taxidermy. A well-placed shot not only ensures a quick, ethical harvest but also minimizes damage to the hide, head, and other areas essential for mounting. Aim for vital organs while avoiding the shoulder, neck, and head whenever possible. By prioritizing shot placement, you'll provide your taxidermist with the best possible materials to work with, resulting in a more lifelike and visually appealing mount.

When placing your hunting blind, take into account the shooting angles and distances that will be available to you. Position your blind to maximize your chances of a clean, broadside shot at a reasonable distance. Consider the terrain, wind direction, and natural animal behaviors in the area to ensure that your blind is in an optimal location. Remember that your shooting angle and distance can affect the quality of your shot and, subsequently, the quality of your taxidermy mount.

To ensure the best possible shot placement, practice shooting positions from your blind prior to the hunt. Familiarize yourself with the available shooting windows, and test various positions to find the most comfortable and stable ones. Practice with your hunting gear, including your weapon, to build muscle memory and increase your accuracy. By dedicating time to practice, you'll be better prepared to make a clean, ethical shot when the moment arrives, increasing your chances of a successful harvest and a high-quality taxidermy mount.

Once you've harvested your trophy, the next crucial step is properly field dressing and caping the animal. This process involves skinning the animal and removing the head and hide in a way that preserves the quality of the materials for taxidermy. Proper field dressing and caping techniques are essential to prevent damage to the hide, ensure optimal preservation, and provide your taxidermist with the best possible materials to work with.

1. Shoulder Mount: Preserving Extra Hide for Optimal Flexibility

When skinning an animal for a shoulder mount, it's important to leave extra hide around the neck, chest, and shoulders. This additional hide gives your taxidermist more flexibility when positioning the mount and ensures a more natural, lifelike appearance. Begin your incision at the base of the skull, and continue down the back of the neck, stopping at the shoulder blades. From there, make incisions along the back of each front leg, and carefully skin the animal, leaving ample hide for your taxidermist to work with.

2. Full Body Mount: Comprehensive Skinning Requirements

If you plan to have a full-body mount created, your skinning method will need to be more comprehensive. Start by making an incision from the base of the skull, along the spine, and down to the tail. Make additional incisions along the back of each leg, and carefully skin the entire animal. Be sure to leave the ears, nose, and lips attached to the hide, as these delicate areas require special attention from your taxidermist.

3. Safely Removing the Head from the Carcass for Taxidermy

When removing the head from the carcass, make a clean cut through the neck, as close to the skull as possible. This will provide your taxidermist with ample hide to work with when creating the mount. If you're unsure about your ability to make a clean cut, consider leaving more of the neck attached to the head, as your taxidermist can always trim away excess material.

In most cases, it's best to leave the skin attached to the skull during transport. This method helps protect the delicate areas around the eyes, nose, and mouth, which are critical for creating a lifelike mount. By leaving the skin attached, you also reduce the risk of damage or loss of these important parts during transportation.

If you're caping and field dressing your trophy without the assistance of a guide, it's essential to take your time and follow best practices. Watch instructional videos, consult with experienced hunters, and consider practicing on a smaller animal before attempting to cape your trophy. Remember to keep your knife sharp, make clean cuts, and avoid puncturing the hide whenever possible. If you're unsure about any aspect of the process, don't hesitate to reach out to your taxidermist for guidance.

Once you've field dressed and caped your trophy, it's crucial to protect the head and cape during transport. Use a clean, breathable game bag to cover the head and cape, ensuring that it stays cool and dry. Game bags help prevent contamination from dirt, debris, and insects while allowing air to circulate, minimizing the risk of bacterial growth and deterioration.

If you plan to transport your trophy over a longer distance or period, you'll need to take additional steps to ensure its preservation. In these cases, a more comprehensive caping technique may be necessary. This involves completely removing the hide from the skull and salt-curing it to prevent bacterial growth and decay. Consult with your taxidermist for specific instructions on caping for long-distance transport.

When transporting your trophy over longer distances, cold storage is crucial to prevent spoilage. If possible, place the caped hide and skull in a cooler with ice packs, ensuring that the hide does not come into direct contact with the ice. This will help maintain a cool temperature and prevent moisture damage. If you're unable to keep the hide and skull cool during transport, consider freezing them until you can deliver the trophy to your taxidermist.

Short-Term Storage Solutions for Your Trophy

If you cannot deliver your trophy to the taxidermist immediately, proper short-term storage is essential. One of the best options for short-term storage is using a cooler. Place the caped hide and skull in a cooler with ice packs, ensuring that the hide does not come into direct contact with the ice. This will help maintain a cool temperature and prevent bacterial growth. Check the cooler regularly to ensure that the ice packs are still cold and replace them as needed.

When using a cooler for short-term storage, it's crucial to prevent moisture damage to the hide. Avoid placing the hide in direct contact with ice, as this can cause freezer burn and damage the delicate tissues. Instead, use ice packs or place a barrier, such as a plastic bag or game bag, between the ice and the hide. This will help maintain a cool temperature without exposing the hide to excessive moisture.

Long-Term Storage Methods for Extended Periods

If you need to store your trophy for an extended period before delivering it to the taxidermist, proper long-term storage techniques are critical. Begin by thoroughly cleaning the hide, removing any excess fat, meat, or debris. Once cleaned, salt the hide liberally, ensuring that all areas are covered. After salting, roll the hide tightly, with the fur side facing inward. This rolling technique helps prevent the hide from drying out and minimizes the risk of hair slippage.

After rolling the hide, place it in a plastic bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing. This airtight wrapping helps prevent freezer burn and protects the hide from moisture damage. If you have access to a vacuum sealer, this can be an ideal tool for removing air and creating a tight seal around the hide.

In addition to using plastic bags, it's essential to remove as much air as possible from the packaging. Excess air can lead to freezer burn and damage the hide over time. Use a vacuum sealer, if available, or manually remove air by compressing the bag before sealing. This will help ensure optimal long-term storage and preserve the quality of your trophy.

If you need to store your trophy for an extended period, a deep freezer is an excellent investment. Deep freezers maintain a consistent, low temperature, which is ideal for preserving the quality of your hide and skull. When using a deep freezer, be sure to place your wrapped trophy in a location where it will not be disturbed or compressed by other items.

To ensure the best possible taxidermy results, it's crucial to deliver your trophy to the taxidermist in a timely manner. If you can deliver your trophy within a few days of the harvest, your taxidermist will have the freshest possible materials to work with. However, if you need to store your trophy for an extended period, following proper storage techniques and delivering it to the taxidermist as soon as possible will help preserve the quality of your mount.

1. How long can I store my trophy before delivering it to the taxidermist?

Ideally, you should deliver your trophy to the taxidermist as soon as possible after your hunt. If you can deliver it within a few days, your taxidermist will have the freshest materials to work with. However, if you need to store your trophy for an extended period, proper storage techniques can help preserve its quality. When stored correctly, your trophy can remain in good condition for several months.

2. What should I do if I can't deliver my trophy to the taxidermist right away?

If you cannot deliver your trophy to the taxidermist immediately, proper storage is crucial. For short-term storage, place the caped hide and skull in a cooler with ice packs, ensuring that the hide doesn't come into direct contact with the ice. For long-term storage, thoroughly clean and salt the hide, roll it tightly with the fur side inward, and place it in an airtight plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing and store in a deep freezer.

3. How much does taxidermy typically cost?

Taxidermy costs vary depending on the species, mount style, and taxidermist. On average, a shoulder mount for a deer or antelope can cost between $500 to $800, while larger animals like elk or moose can range from $1,000 to $2,500 or more. Full-body mounts and more complex designs will typically cost more. It's essential to discuss pricing and payment terms with your chosen taxidermist before your hunt.

4. How long does the taxidermy process usually take?

The taxidermy process can take several months, depending on the taxidermist's workload and the complexity of the mount. On average, you can expect to wait between 6 to 12 months for your completed mount. However, some taxidermists may have longer or shorter turnaround times. Be sure to discuss the expected timeline with your taxidermist before your hunt and factor in any shipping time if necessary.

5. What can I do to ensure the best possible taxidermy result?

To ensure the best possible taxidermy result, proper planning and communication are key. Choose a reputable, experienced taxidermist who specializes in the species you'll be hunting. Communicate your expectations and preferences clearly with your taxidermist and guide before your hunt. Practice proper shot placement, field dressing, and caping techniques to preserve the quality of your trophy. Use appropriate transportation and storage methods, and deliver your trophy to the taxidermist in a timely manner, following their specific instructions.