Trophy Specialist
Taxidermy
Trophy Deer Field Care
First, shoot the animal through the chest. A carefully aimed shot just behind the shoulders is best, because it ruins less meat and will not damage the cape allowing the taxidermist to create a more lifelike head mount. Don't finish off the animal by shooting it in the neck or head, instead, finish it off with a shot through the chest, which will better allow it to bleed out. Taxidermists certainly appreciate a cape that was cared for property. Please don't slit the throat on the deer as this leads to unnecessary cape damage. When field dressing the animal, don't cut past the sternum. Be gentle while recovering the animal from the woods. Avoid dragging it on the ground; better to use a Jet Sled or ATV to get him out and protect the hide. For the best mounting quality, take the deer straight to the taxidermist or processor for skinning ASAP. If you must hang your deer, please don't hang it with a rope around its neck, instead, hang it by the antlers or hind legs. Keep in mind that hanging the animal by its antlers will cause the spread of the rack to narrow slightly reducing it's record book score. Make sure to tell your deer processor or butcher that you want the animal skinned for a head and shoulder mount. If you skin the deer yourself, be careful not to make any unnecessary cuts. Tube the skin up the chest and neck, leaving plenty of hide behind the shoulder for the taxidermists. Cut the front legs off at the knee and tube the skin off the legs without any cuts. Cut the head off at the base of skull being careful not to cut the hide with the saw. To avoid freezer burn, roll up the cape, skin side in; put it in a garbage bag tying it off between the antler bases to cover the ears, eyes and nose; then freeze it. If you can't freeze the cape, roll it up inside a burlap bag or commercial game bag and then store it in a cold, well ventilated place. For best mounting results, get the cape to the taxidermist ASAP.
Fish Field Care
Simply take several good closeup photos of your trophy fish right after it is caught. Digital photos are best. Then take a length measurement from the tip of the tail to the end of the closed lower jaw. It's best to take the length measurement by placing the fish on top of the ruler. A girth measurement taken around the widest part of the fish is useful, but not mandatory. The fish can then be released or cleaned and eaten without any other hassles. You can just deliver the photos and measurement to Trophy Specialists Taxidermy via email, US Mail, or in person and the mount will be recreated to exacting standards. When completed you can pick the mount up in person or have it delivered to your desired location (shipping and handling charges applicable).