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Trophy Care
Many hunters believe taxidermists are
magicians and can "fix anything";
it just isn't so. High-powered rifles, and magnum shotguns can
do
unrepairable damage to big game animals or delicate birds. The
mount
will only be as good as the specimen presented, so use common
sense
and eliminate misunderstandings later. Some things just can't
be fixed.
Many trophies are ruined in the first
few hours after death. Bacteria will
attack your specimen in just a short time. Whitetails and all
large game
should be skinned, leaving the head intact and a large capeskin
attached.
Refrigerate the head/skin or freeze it solid.
DO NOT GUT fish, birds
or small game!!
After catching the fish refrigerate
it immediately. Wrap the fish in a wet
cloth, then in an airtight bag and freeze ASAP. Blood left on
white
feathers or white hair may stain the specimen. Wash blood off
immediately with wet paper towels or anything available. If possible
pack paper towels in the mouth to prevent blood from leaking.
Smaller animals, as well as birds, should
be left intact and never field
dressed. Simply wipe all blood from them - keep tails, feathers,
and fur
smooth and tucked into the body. Drop birds inside a pair of
panty hose
to keep the feathers in place. Wrap the specimen in several layers
of
regular freezer wrap or newspaper and plastic then freeze. Specimens
can also be wrapped in thick plastic bags or tin foil.
HOW TO CAPE A BIG GAME
ANIMAL
NEVER cut the throat or make any unnecessary
cuts on horned or
antlered game. With Elk, Moose, Caribou, and Mule deer make an
incision from the base of the antlers or horns in the shape of
a "V"
into the back center of the skull. This ""V" cut
continue down the
spine into the shoulder cape. Always leave plenty of cape for
us to
work with. The cut should always extend beyond the front leg.
Once
this is accomplished, the cut will simply circle the body cavity.
White Tail Deer
Make a circular cut around the deer's
body behind the front legs.
Cut a circle around the deer's legs above the knee and split
the leg
hide on the backside of the leg to the circular cut made around
the
body. Slowly roll the cape all the way down the neck to the skull
similar to rolling down your socks. In most cases, hunters simply
elect to cut the neck off near the skull and let us finish the
delicate job
of cutting around antlers, nose, eyes, etc. Some outfitters do
have
qualified people for this and if any problems do come up don't
be
afraid to contact a us at 502 493 7787.
Once caping is accomplished, refrigerate
or freeze the trophy and
transport it to our shop as soon as possible.
Freezer Storage
When storing any game in a freezer it
is important to wrap the specimen
well. For short periods of a month or so a zip lock or plastic
bag will work
fine. For periods longer than that you need to guard against
freezer burn
(drying out). To prevent burn the item must be LAYERED. Wrap
the item
in a combination of paper and plastic layers or even tin foil.
If the specimen
is wrapped properly it can survive years (yes years) in the freezer.
I have mounted birds that were in the freezer for 6 years. (And
I know that
is not a record).
Don't discard that trophy even if it
has been freezer burned.
Even though it is best to prevent freezer
burn we have been able to
rehydrate specimens that have been neglected. So don't discard
your
prize until we have a chance to evaluate the item.
For those trips away from home feel
free to call and discuss with us what
is needed to transport and protect your trophy for the ride home. |
