MR. FISH TAXIDERMY

FIELD CARE

This page is designed to give you the information required for us to achieve the best possible mount.

Fish:

Leave the fish whole, (ungutted) and wrapped in a plastic bag. Ensure that all fins are frozen against the body and that the tail is protected with cardboard. Freeze as soon as possible.

Birds:

Ensure the wings and legs are not broken and that the bird is in full plumage. ie: no pin feathers.

Wrap the bird in a plastic bag, tucking the head against the body and ensure that the wings and tail feathers are not crushed.

Freeze as soon as possible.

Game heads:

Please do not cut the throat!

When skinning game heads for mounting purposes, whether in the field or at home, follow the cuts shown in the diagram (see below) to ensure proper cape length.

Remove the head by severing the last vertebra from the base of the skull ,
leaving the skull (with antlers) attached to the cape.
Lay the hide out to cool properly before bagging. FREEZE ASAP as this will
help deter bacteria growth, which may result in hair slippage.

1/2 & 3/4 Mount Bears:

Start by skinning the front legs. Make an incision from the underside of the
foot (center of the foot pad) straight to the elbow. Skin the hide to the
elbow and sever the front foot at the wrist joint leaving the paw intact
with the hide.
Next skin the hind legs by making an incision from the heel pad in a
straight line to the anus. Sever the foot at the ankle joint leaving the
paw intact with the hide.
For the body of the bear, skin the bear by making an incision along the top
of the back from the base of the skull in a straight line to the tail. Peel
and skin the complete hide. Sever the head at last vertebra at the base of
the skull, leaving the skull attached to the hide. If you feel comfortable
in removing the skull from the hide, please do so carefully around the ears,
eyes, mouth and nose areas.
Lay the hide out to cool properly before bagging. FREEZE ASAP as this will
help deter bacteria growth, which may result in hair slippage.
 

Rugs: (Bears, Wolves, etc.)
Make an incision from the center of the throat in a straight line along the
belly towards the tail, stopping at the anus.
For the front legs, make an incision from the underside of the foot (center
of the foot pad) straight to the elbow, following through in a straight line
to the belly incision. Skin the hide, and sever the front foot at the wrist
joint leaving the paw intact with the hide.
Next skin the hind legs by making an incision from the heel pad in a
straight line to the anus. Sever the hind foot at the ankle joint leaving
the paw intact with the hide.
Sever the head at last vertebra at the base of the skull, leaving the skull
attached to the hide. If you feel comfortable in removing the skull from the
hide, please do so carefully around the ears, eyes, mouth and nose areas.
Lay the hide out to cool properly before bagging. FREEZE ASAP as this will
help deter bacteria growth, which may result in hair slippage.