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BIRDS:
· Select only mature birds in full plumage for mounting.
· Avoid rough handling.
· Remove field debris such as leaves or grass from bird.
· Wipe or rinse off the blood/fluids from the bird with cold water.
· Cool down the bird as soon as possible and avoid laying bird in the sun.
· Place the head alongside the body and wrap in 2-3 sheets of newspaper. Place in a plastic bag, label it and date it, then freeze it.
FISH
· Handle fish gently to avoid scale or fin damage.
· Do not put fish on a stringer or in a fish basket.
· Rinse blood and slime off the fish.
· Keep wet at all times to avoid drying out the fins!
· Take plenty of photographs.
· Wrap in a wet towel and freeze in a plastic bag that is appropriately labeled and dated.
BIG GAME AND MAMMALS:
· Cool or freeze as soon as possible. The hide or fur begins to deteriorate immediately.
· Do not leave animal on its side in the back of a pick-up truck!
· Keep out of the sun.
· Never wash or wet down the fur or hide. Water increases hair slippage.
· Never slit the throat.
· Never hang ropes around the neck.
· Do not drag an animal you intend to have mounted.
· When field dressing your animal, stop cutting when you hit the brisket.
· Never cut in the arm pits, tube as far as possible and cut off at the base of the head-OR CONTACT YOUR TAXIDERMIST FOR ADDITIONAL HELP OR ADVICE.
· Contact your Taxidermist as soon as possible.
Proper initial care of your bird, fish or big game animal is very important!
