Taxidermy R Us
Proper Field Care Tips

  • DEER FIELD DRESSING...
    With deer on its back make a shalllow cut through the skin just below the breastbone. Make sure that you start your cut well away from the brisket allowing plenty of uncut skin for your shoulder mount. Insert two fingers of the freehand, cradeling the blade, to hold the skinup and away from the entrails.

    Cut straight down the belly and around the genitals, separating but not severing them from the abdominal wall. Slit the belly skin all the way to pelvic bone.

    Cut deeply around the rectum, being careful not to cut off or puncture the intestine. Pull to make sure the rectum is separated from tissue connecting it to the pelvic canal. Pull the rectum out and tie a string tightly around it to prevent droppings from touching the meat. Lift the animals back quarter a bit, reach into the front of the pelvic canal, and pull the intestine and connected rectum into stomach area.

    If you want to make a full shoulder mount, do not cut open the chest cavity. Cut the diaphragn away from the ribs all the way to the backbone area. Reach into the forward chest cavity, find the esophagus and windpipe, cut them off as far up as possible and pull them down through the chest.

    Roll the deer onto its side, grab the esophagus with one hand and the rectum/intestines with the other. Pull hard. The deers internal organs will come out in one big package with a minimum mess.

    • SMALL MOUNTINGS...
    Animals, coyote sized or smaller should not be skinned unless by a professional. Don't gut the animal. Small mammals, especially carnivores, will spoil quickly because of their thin hide and bacteria. If you can't take the small game animal immediately to a taxidermist, as soon as the carcass cools completely put it in a plastic bag and freeze it. With the epidemic of rabies evident in many areas of the country take every safety measure necessary when handling your game.

    • BIRDS...
    Do not gut the bird. Rinse off any blood on the feathers with water. Take the bird immediately to your taxidermist or freeze it. Put the bird into a plastic bag for freezing being careful not to damage the feathers, including the tail. If the bird's tail feathers do not fit in the bag do not bend them. Let the tail stick out of the bag and tie the bag loosely.

    • FISH...
    Do not gut your fish. If you can not take your fish immediately to a taxidermist, wrap it in a very wet towel and place it in a plastic bag, making sure all the fins are flat against the fish's body (to prevent breakage) and freeze it. A fish frozen this method can safely be kept in a freezer for months. Note: A fish will loose its coloration shortly after being caught. A good photograph immediately after the catch may enable the taxidermist to duplicate the natural color tones of that particular fish.

    • Taxidermy "R" Us TIPS...
    Always have appropriate tags with your trophies when you take them to your taxidermist. Do not cut the ears for attachment.
    Songbirds, Eagles, Hawks and owls are protected by Federal Law and can not be mounted unless with special Federal permit.
    For situations where you are hunting with no available taxidermist or freezer, ask your taxidermist about techniques to skin out the entire cape (including the head) and salting the hide. This is the only method in remote locations that can preserve your hide for later mounting.

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