Working on a hide.

Various Stages of Work

Game Animals :: After the animal has expired and the field dressing process has began, be careful not to gut past where the chest cavity starts. Do your best to keep blood, dirt and debris from getting in the animals fur, especially the face. Never slit the animal’s throat as this will ruin the cape for mounting. If possible never drag the animal over fallen trees or bushes as this can damage the animals hide. Put a stick at least one inch in diameter in the animal’s mouth to keep it open. This will aid the taxidermist when he capes the hide off the skull. Once you have the animal hung follow the diagrams and directions on the back of this brochure to skin the animal properly for the taxidermist. Take the animal to the taxidermist as soon as possible to avoid any spoiling.

Game Birds :: If your bird is being recovered by a dog, be sure that it does not bite or chew on the bird. Place the bird on the ground and smooth the feathers out with your hand. Place a wad of tissue paper in the mouth to prevent blood from getting on the feathers. Prevent dirt and debris from getting in the feathers. Place the bird in a plastic bag being careful not to bend the feathers or the tail. Do not gut the bird. Freeze it as soon as it has cooled down.

Tanning at Owner's Risk
We have no control over skins prior to us receiving it from tanning. Many factors affect the final result of tanning; climate, temperature, time of year and the care given to the animal when it was harvested.

Hunter Responsibilities
For protected birds we require a permit from the local Fish and Wildlife. Game birds and migratory birds require the hunters license number and signature. Game animals require the hunters WIN card number, tag number and wildlife certificate number. Do your best to take care of the animal in the field. After all it’s your trophy.

Skinning for Shoulder Mounts
Once the animal has been hung the skinning process can begin. Make your first cut around the entire body eight inches behind the front shoulders. Remember when the animal is hanging the skin is stretched so be sure to leave enough cape as it will shrink. Make the next cut around each leg just above the knee joint as shown in the diagram above. Cut the legs off at the knee joint with a saw. Peel the hide down the back and chest towards the armpits and pull the legs through as if you were taking off a t-shirt. Once the hide is free of the legs continue skinning down the neck towards the base of the head. Be careful not to put holes in the hide and leave as much meat and fat as you can on the carcass. Skin down to just below the ears and cut the head off as shown in the diagram below. Take the head to the taxidermist as soon as possible.

Skinning for Full Mammal Mounts and Rugs
When life size mounting an animal we prefer to skin it out ourselves if possible, as we have a certain way we like to do it and certain measurements that need to be taken. Keep the animal cool and bring it to the taxidermist as soon as possible. If you must skin the animal out then follow these instructions and the diagram Figure 3. This method will keep your options open for life size mounts or a rug. Begin by making your incision four inches from the tip of the chin. Cut down the throat, chest, belly, and around the genitals to the anus vent. Cut down the back of the hind legs from the anus to just below the rear foot pad. Cut down the back of the front legs from the centerline cut to just below the front foot pad. Start skinning around the legs of one side until the hide is free from the carcass. Cut the foot off at the ankle to complete skinning the legs. Skin around the belly towards the back. Once one side is done roll the animal onto the side you just skinned and begin skinning the other side the same way. Cut the tail off where it meets the body. After you have completed skinning the body, skin up the neck to the base of the head. Sever the neck at the base of the skull. Do not skin out the head or feet. The taxidermist will do this. Remove as much flesh and fat as possible from the hide. Bring the hide to the taxidermist as soon as possible. If the hide can not be delivered to the taxidermist fold the hide skin to skin, roll it up and place it in a garbage bag and freeze it.

Broken and Bleached Horns and Antlers We can repair broken horns and antlers. We can also stain bleached and discolored horns and antlers. Phone to get a quote. Price will depend on severity of break or extent of discolorment. Here are some examples of broken antlers that were repaired. Click on images for larger view.
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