Field Care Tips
Make sure that you have the appropriate tags with your trophies when you take them to your taxidermists. If you are ina area where there is no available freezer, ask your taxidermist about the best solutions. Due to various diseases that wild game can transfer to humans, ensure to use extreme caution when handling the carcass. Make sure that you use rubber or latex gloves and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Caping is best left to the taxidermist. The experience that a taxidermist has is invaluable toward producing a quality mount. If there is damage to the hide it can result in repairs and some times the damage can not be "fixed" by the taxidermist.
When field dressing a trophy mount, don't cut into the brisket or neck area. Try to avoid dragging the animal out of the woods with a rope. Place the animal on a sled, 4-wheeler or rickshaw. The rope, rocks, or a broken branch from deadfall can easily damage the fur or puncture the hide. If you have to drag the animal out with a rope, attach the rope to the base of the anterls or foot and drage your trophy carefully.
Small mammals, coyote size or smaller should not be skinned unless by a professional. Don't gut the animal. The animal can spoil very quickly because of the thin hide and bacteria. For birds, be careful to not damage the feathers, including the tail. If the bird's tail feathers do not fit into the bag do not bend them to fit. Let the tail stick out of the bag.
Do not gut your fish!!! Wrap your fish in a very wet towel and put it into a plastic bag if you are unable to take to your taxidermist right away. If you put the fish into the bag ensure that all the fins are flat against the fish's body. Fish will loose its color after being caught. A good color photograph that is taken right after the fish is caught can help the taxidermist to duplicate the natural color of the fish.
As soon as the carcass cools, put into a small bag and freeze it if you are unable to get to your taxidermist.