Post-hunt trophy care

To get a quality taxidermy mount, it starts with a trophy that is properly cared for prior to being mounted. Please read the following guidelines: 

Through the course of the years, John has seen some changes in              taxidermy and recognizes the need to updating some old fashioned techniques when it comes to field care for taxidermy purposes. See the McKenzie Field Guide Care link at the bottom of the page. It has the most up-to-date and complete information for today’s taxidermy.
 

           Today’s forms used for taxidermy have a modern style of more shoulder, more leg and more brisket than older forms. If a customer is considering a pedestal mount or half life-size, this requires  even more length. Making the correct cuts, and making sure all the parts are included is important. John says from a taxidermy perspective, more is better than less; and if it is absent, it can’t be replaced.
 

           With archery seasons starting earlier, the possibility of spoilage is even greater from extreme heat. Preparing a game plan before the hunt is essential for meat and trophy care. Bacteria start the decomposition of cells the minute an animal dies. Heat, humidity, and sun can speed up the process dramatically causing spoilage in hours. The cape is a perishable item and needs to be handled accordingly. Game bags are preferred, plastic bags compound the heat and humidity especially if the item has not been allowed to cool out completely. Also, the head and neck hold a lot of heat. When cutting the head and cape from the carcass, the neck should be removed at the atlas joint. And, if necessary on larger game (such as Buffalo), the skin needs to be split open to the horns and skinned out to allow the heat to escape. The cape of the animal is more perishable than the carcass of the animal and needs more consideration in its care than it is usually given.  A patchy cape will add additional cost for repairs, and a ruined cape will need a complete replacement purchased, so take care in dragging and transporting your animal after harvest, as it can ruin hair. 

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us prior to your hunt at (307) 684-9018. 

Thank you and best of luck with your hunt!