Q- Where do I cut a trophy for a shoulder mount?
A- We suggest you take a hands length after the front leg and cut around the whole animal, then cutting behind the front legs to get the legs free. Depending on what type of creature and what type of mount, please refer to the field care page for more detailed instruction.

Q- How do I pack a fish or bird to be mounted?
A- First don’t try to skin it. Soak the whole critter in water and wrap it in newspaper, then soak the whole thing in more water again. Place it in a plastic bag and freeze it till you bring it to the shop. This should go for any small game.

Q- How can an animal get freezer burn?
A- The loss of moisture from tissue. We prevent this by adding more water. 

Q- Should I skin out the whole animal? 
A- No, if its big game skinning it out to the neck is sufficient, then leave the rest for the taxidermist to take care of. If it’s from Africa they know what to do, and you won’t have to worry about it, but definitely be inquisitive and ask questions about your trophy care while your there in case it’s a new place you haven’t been too just to keep them on there toes.

Q- How do I skin out a turkey or other bird?
A- Easy, take it to your taxidermist A.S.A.P. or freeze it then take it to him. If you’re going to get a turkey mounted, trust me you don’t want to skin it. A holey turkey is a taxidermists’ worst nightmare.

Q- How do I skin out a fish?
A- Easy, refer to if you should skin out a turkey.

Q- What can I do to keep my mount maintained or looking new?
A- What we suggest to customers is take a paper towel or regular towel and spray some Windex on it and wipe your trophy gently in the direction of the fur, scales, or feathers. Or you can come to the shop and buy some expensive stuff that will do the same thing.

Q- Does sunlight affect my trophy?
A- Absolutely, direct sun will cause discoloration in the hair, and feathers, no nutrients to those parts leaves them susceptible to suns rays, just like sheds you find in the woods, after a while they turn bleach white.

Q- How should I transport my trophy from the place I harvested it to the taxidermy shop?
A- You should skin out the trophy up to the neck, and freeze it, or if it will be more than a few days and freezing it will be an issue, skin out the whole animal and you’ll have to make sure at least 80% of the fat and meat is off the skin and then salt it (non-iodized salt) After you salt it and let it dry for a few hours hang it up so more of the fluids can drain out of the skin (preventing bacteria beds to form) which causes hair to slip. If you have to skin the head out, please take you’re time and follow the bone contour of the head as closely as possible. If you haven’t done it, and don’t feel comfortable let someone else that has done it do it.

Q- Does cigarette smoke affect my trophy?
A- Absolutely, the chemicals in the smoke cause the hair or feathers to get a discoloration, a tavern yellow look, it can be somewhat fixed but not completely.