Field Care

Ok, you’ve finally got that buck you have been dreaming
about. The first thing you’ll do, after you have calmed down, is
to gut your deer. DO NOT CUT UP THE BRISKET! (See diagram
1).

When getting your deer out of the woods, if at all possible, do
not drag it, this can damage the fur. Use a cart, sled, ATV or
even horse if possible. Once back in camp or home, do not
hang your deer by the neck, this too can damage fur. Hang it
by the legs or antlers. Do not cut the animals throat, or tag it
through the ear.

When skinning, leave plenty of hide for a shoulder mount,
especially at the brisket area. Cut off the hide several inches
behind the front legs and 90 degrees to the back (See diagram
2). Do not skin the head areas, let the taxidermist do that(See
diagram 3). Also, be sure to leave a few inches of neck meat
so that accurate measurements can be taken.

Roll the cape, do not fold, put in a bag and refrigerate or
freeze until you can get it to a taxidermist.

Before you go into the field, ask your wife for a nylon stocking. Sure, she’ll wonder what
you are up to, but that stocking can make the difference between the perfect mount and one
with missing feathers.

Put the head first into the nylon stocking and just let it slip on down, now tie a knot at the
other end. This will hold all of the feathers tight to the body and will prevent them from
being broken. All your taxidermist will have to do is cut the knot at the head end and slide
it out, i.e. perfect condition!!. Remember the better shape you bring it to your taxidermist the
better it will come back to you.

If you are not going to take it to your taxidermist right away, than you will need to freeze it,
so get a plastic garbage bag and put the turkey and stocking into the bag, wrap it and
freeze it. What ever you do DO NOT GUT it!!!!!!!!! If you want the meat, get it to the
Taxidermist right away just keep it cool until you get it there.

If possible, take a colored photograph of the fish. A fish begins to lose color as soon as
it has been taken from the water. Also, coloration of the fish can vary dramatically
throughout the year, and from one body of water to another. There are also coloration
changes of certain species even in the same body of water.

Inspect the fish for bad spots, scars of missing scales. Then let the taxidermist know,
so they can decide on positioning and show off the best side of the fish. Get the fish
wrapped and on ice as soon as possible. You should use a wet cloth to wrap, never use
newspaper. If you are not able to get your fish to your taxidermist right away, put it into
an airtight plastic bag and freeze it.

Never put your fish on a stringer, or in a basket. When ice fishing, never let the fish flop
around or lay on the ice, this may damage fins. Don’t let the fish dry out, and above all,
don’t gut your fish.

If you want a reproduction fish done for one that is caught and released, you will need
the following measurements: The overall length, the girth of the belly and an accurate
weight.