Map to Coopersville

West Michigan Taxidermy, Inc.

Authentic Wildlife Artistry

FIELD CARE

This page contains instructions and detailed information to help you field-prep your specimen and insure a successful mount. NOTE: Before you begin, determine the type of mount you want. If you are unsure, proceed for a life-size mount.

BIRDS
We do not recommend skinning birds unless you are experienced with this. The skin of a bird can be very thin and can be torn easily. (See Freezing Your Trophy)

FISH
We do not recommend skinning fish unless you are experienced with this. A fish skin can be very delicate. Also a pattern needs to be made of your fish, along with many measurements, to insure you a quality fish mount. (See Freezing Your Trophy)

MAMMALS

SHOUDER MOUNT

1. (Incision A) Cut the skin around the middle of the animal.

2. (Incision B) Make an incision from the base of the skull down the center of the back of the neck connecting to incision A.

3. (Incision C) Cut along the back side of the front legs to incision A. and cut off the legs at the knee.

NOTE: Do not cut into the brisket area. Cut the skin plenty long - we can cut off any extra.

LIFESIZE MOUNT

1. (Incision A) Beginning at mid-chest cut a straight line down the belly, stopping a few inches from the anal opening. Avoid cutting through the penis and scrotum.

2. (Incision B) From the heel of the pad of the rear foot, following the back of the leg, make a cut to where incision A ended. Repeat on opposite leg.

3. (Incision C) Following inside the front leg, from the middle of the pad, to the middle of the chest, make the final incision. Repeat on opposite leg.

RUG MOUNT
 

Use the same skinning procedures as for a life-size mount except:

• Continue incision A to the anal opening.
• Connect incision B to A at the anal opening.

  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

General Notes

• All trophies must be properly skinned & salted or frozen immediately to inhibit bacteria growth.
• Measurements of your trophy are helpful (nose to eye, nose to tail, and circumference of belly).
• All incisions should be made as straight as possible.
• Make all incisions from under the skin up through the hair to avoid cutting the hair. After all incisions are made pull and cut the skin loose from the carcass.
• Remove the skin from the carcass to the base of the skull.
• Sever the neck meat from the base of the skull.
• Sever the tailbone from the carcass, leaving it inside the skin.

At this point the skin is now ready to be frozen, (see Freezing your Trophy) with the head, tail, paws/hoofs inside. If a freezer is not available, see Fleshing and Salting.

Skin the Paw/Hoof

The paws/hoof must be skinned out to the last knuckle of each toe, leaving the claw/hoof connected to the skin

Skin the Head

Do this by carefully cutting the skin away from the skull.

• The ear butts must be cut off very close to the skull.
• Be especially careful not to cut the skin around the eyes and tear duct areas.
• The lip skin should be cut very close to the gums.
• Leave some nose cartilage on the skin and you will be finished skinning.

The skin is now ready to be frozen or, if a freezer is not available, see Fleshing and Salting.

Skin the Tail

• Make an incision on the bottom side of the tail.
• PUSH the skin from the bone - DO NOT PULL THE SKIN OFF.

Removing Antlers

• Skin the head first.
• Saw through the back of the skull through the eye sockets.
• Remove all flesh, membrane, etc. and allow to dry.
• The horns are then ready to ship to us. (See Shipping your Trophy).
• If your antlers/horns are in velvet, Contact Us for further instruction.

Fleshing and Salting

A temporary way of preserving your trophy is by fleshing and salting the skin.

• The entire skin must have all fat, flesh, and membrane removed from it.
• The ears must be turned inside out - separating the cartilage from the back ear skin.
• Eyes and lips must also be turned, removing all flesh.
• Rub generous amounts of non-iodized granulated salt (available at farm feed stores) into the flesh side of the skin. It is very important in this step to not miss any areas.
• Roll the skin up overnight allowing it to drain.
• The next day, shake off the old salt and apply new salt.
• When no more moisture is present (approximately one week), the skin can be shipped to us. (See Shipping Your Trophy)

NOTE: Do not use rock salt. The salt will remove moisture from the skin so be prepared for this mess.

FREEZING YOUR TROPHY

Once any trophy is taken it must be frozen immediately. Place your trophy in a plastic bag and allow it to freeze until frozen completely through. Your trophy is then ready to ship. (See Shipping Your Trophy)

BIRDS

Birds are best frozen whole. Birds can be frozen with their head tucked under one wing. If available, slip the bird into the leg of a nylon stocking head first. This will keep all the feathers in a natural position. If this is not possible, Contact Us for other instruction.

FISH

Fish are best frozen whole. The best way we have found of preserving the natural color of a fish skin is by sprinkling generous amounts of 20 Mule Team BORAX on the fish as soon as it is caught. Make sure the BORAX is under all the fins and everywhere on the skin. After the fish is BORAXED place it inside a plastic bag and freeze it. (20 Mule Team BORAX is available at most grocery stores in the laundry soap department.)

NOTE: There is a growing interest in catch-and-release fishing. Because of this W.M.T.inc. is offering beautiful Reproduction Fish Mounts. All we need to know is a length and girth measurement and you can release your fish alive, for someone else to enjoy! (See Ordering Products)

MAMMALS

Small mammals can be frozen whole (fox or smaller). Larger mammals should be first skinned. (See Skinning Instructions)

©West Michigan Taxidermy, Inc. 2002-2005.

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