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DO NOT SLIT THROAT, AND NEVER CUT FRONT SIDE OF NECK.
Antlered and Horned Animals-Full Shoulder or Half- Lifesized
Make an incision from the base of each antler (horn) to the back of thehead forming a “Y” as indicated by A. Cut down the back of the neck well behind the shoulders B. The cut may then be made all the way around the carcass at point C.- Make a cut down the back of the front legs staying slightly to the inside– C to D. The difference in the amount of skin needed for a half-sized or a full shoulder mount is the leg skin. Part of the leg skin is necessary for a full shoulder mount, cut around front legs at E skin forward taking care to leave ear “butts” intact. Pry skin from antlers where possible, (horned animals cut skin at hairline) and have plenty of skin around eyes, mouth, and nose. All the inside lip and nose cartilage should be intact with skin. Turn ears inside out by separating cartilage from the back skin of the ear. To skin for a life-sized mount, make a cut from the brisket at point C to the tail (DO NOT make A, B or C cut). Then cut down the back side of each hoof, staying slightly inside.
- For animals such as Bears, Cats, Canine, etc. cut from the center of the throat G to the tail H, on the underside of the animal. Cut from the bottom of each paw, from the center of pad up the leg, to the center cut I. Skin animal completely. Skin the feet out to the last joint in the toes. Skin face area the same as described above, but DO NOT make the cut down the back of the neck.
Salting (Small Life-sized Bring in Whole).
Wash bloodstains with cold water, if possible. Remove ALL fat and flesh from the hide. Salt skin thoroughly with fine, uniodized salt (fine-grain table salt is best). Rub salt into all parts, folds, etc. Drain next day and salt again. Keep in cool place out of sun. Skin may be frozen with or without salt.
Make sure that after skinning, lay the hide out skin side up until it is cool to the touch. If the head is still intact, the meat around the neck area should also be cool. Once the hide is cool fold up and place in a game bag or pillow case and place in freezer as soon as possible until the hide can be delivered to the taxidermist. Please call anytime if you have any questions. - DO NOT clean (field dress, gut, etc.) birds.
Fresh specimens should be cooled (refrigerated) and protected with wrapping that allows body heat to escape. Freezing in plastic preserves a specimen until it can be delivered to the taxidermist.
