Below we have provided answers to questions or common mistakes we encounter among sportsmen and the world of taxidermy. We hope they help to ensure proper care of your trophy and to clear up any questions you may have. Most importantly, if you have further questions, feel free to contact us.
Q. Is it ok to let my deer/antelope/elk/etc… hang in a shed for a couple weeks before I skin it out? It’s below freezing, so it should be ok, right?
A. The rule of thumb is that any organism will continue to decompose if kept above freezing. In addition, the daily fluctuation of temperatures, especially those that rise above freezing during the day, will cause the animal’s hide to decompose and dry out faster. The best case scenario is to let the deer hang overnight, and then get it to the taxidermist or in the freezer the next day. We often receive deer from customers that have kept the head in their garage for a number of days, and “even though it was below freezing”, the eyes, nose, and ears are often dried out, which places the use of the cape in jeopardy.
Q. I have a different species of animal that you don’t have pictures of in your gallery. Should I find a different taxidermist?
A. Absolutely not. Our gallery only covers a very small portion of the species we have mounted up. Give us a call to see whether we have experience with that species.
Q. I have experience caping out deer, so is it ok to cape out my deer/antelope/elk/etc…?
A. We typically tell our customers to skin the deer out up to the base of the head then STOP and cut the head off (See field care link). We have a certain way to cape our heads that eliminates needless sewing and results in better mount. Moreover, despite the fact that many folks have experience caping out game, incidental mistakes and holes are surprisingly common. We recommend getting the head to use to allow us to cape it, afterall, it’s less work for you anyway. Obviously there are always exceptions. For example, if you are miles into the backcountry and have to pack your animal out, you may want to cape it, but please, take your time and be patient.
Q. I’m going on a big game hunt and might do a life-size mount. Should I do a dorsal or ventral incision on my trophy?
A. Most cases we prefer a dorsal incision. The choice however, will depend on the species and the pose desired for the trophy. Please give us a call before your hunt and we can help guide you on what incision to make.
Q. My big game hide spoiled but I still want to have it mounted. Is there anything I can do to salvage the cape or still be able to mount it up?
A. The cape is probably ruined but we always have extra capes on hand. Let us know if you need one because we may not have the species on hand, but will likely be able to get a hold of it.
Q. I shot a really nice deer but probably won’t mount it up. Will I regret it later?
A. Absolutely, you will regret it! As our father of wildlife management said “The value of any trophy from the field depends not on its size but on the magnitude of the effort expended in its pursuit.” – Aldo Leopold
Q. I usually just roll up my hides and put them in a bag for the freezer, what’s the best way to freeze a cape or lifesize hide?
A. It is critical to NOT roll up any hide for the freezer! The problem is that by rolling up the hide, the central portion of the hide that was rolled up is well insulated from the cold temperatures by the hide that surrounds it. Consequently, it can take a long time before the entire hide is frozen. The best way to prepare a hide for the freezer is to FOLD it up, place in a plastic bag, remove as much air as possible from the bag, and lay in the freezer. This way, the hide will freeze quickly and evenly.