Not all hunters start hunting for trophy purposes. Some hunt for the meat, and some hunt for sport. Eventually you may end up contacting a local taxidermist for trophy mounting services. At this time, ask for information about proper hide prep and care in the field to avoid ruining your prized trophy before it even arrives at the taxidermist’s shop. Hunting an animal is just one step of the trophy mounting process. The more knowledge you possess, the better your chances of enjoying a successful trophy creation.
Are you planning your first trophy hunt? Read on—here are some things your taxidermist in Wyoming wants you to know to ensure you have a good trophy mounting experience.
Hunting and bacteria
All dead animals will begin to decay the moment the carcass hits the ground. That means bacteria will start to break down the tissue—the flesh, tendons, skin and anything with hair on it will typically battle bacteria first. The most obvious problem here is that the meat will go bad, and will become inedible in a very short amount of time. However, if not properly and quickly taken to your taxidermist, the bacteria could target the hair on the hide or cape. When the cape or hide loses hair, it’s called slipping. Numerous trophy hunters experience slippage every year, and their kills are ruined to the point where nothing can be salvaged.
To prevent bacteria from spreading, get your hide to the taxidermist as soon as possible. You can show off your trophy to everyone after the mount is done, not before. And keep in mind that the warmer the weather, the faster bacteria will attack.
How to cut
Cutting the animal cape (skin) properly is the hunter’s responsibility. For this reason, it’s crucial that you learn how to do this before leaving on a hunt. Talk to your taxidermist, watch YouTube videos and ask an experienced trophy hunter who mounts their prize kills for tips and tricks. Many a cape gets ruined because hunters cut the cape too short or they cut in the wrong places.
Let’s briefly go over some basics. When skinning a deer cape, never cut the white patches, like the arm pits. Use its hair lines as guides for making cuts. Cutting properly will help your taxidermist do a great job on your mount.
Every animal is considered a trophy
Most hunters will keep a kill, no matter the animal’s size or how it looks afterward. Every animal is a trophy to a hunter, but they may not think its worthy enough for taxidermy. Ignore the trophy animals you see being taken down on hunting shows and photographed for magazines! If the animal is a trophy to you, don’t be embarrassed about mounting and preserving it for a lifetime of memories. You’ll have a visual to accompany the tale of hunting “that one time.”
Don’t put the condition of your animal hide at risk. If you are going hunting for a trophy and need guidance for prepping a hide in the field, don’t hesitate to contact your taxidermist in Wyoming. Call Nature’s Design Taxidermy with questions or to learn more about our taxidermy services!