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Get Answers For: Our
Taxidermy Services OR Our
Hunting Trips
TAXIDERMY
QUESTIONS
Q- Where do I cut a trophy for a shoulder mount?
A- We suggest you take a hands length after the front leg and cut around the whole animal, then cutting behind the front legs to get the legs free. Depending on what type of creature and what type of mount, please refer to the field care page for more detailed instruction.
Q- How do I pack a fish or bird to be mounted?
A- First don’t try to skin it. Soak the whole critter in water and wrap it in newspaper, then soak the whole thing in more water again. Place it in a plastic bag and freeze it till you bring it to the shop. This should go for any small game.
Q- How can an animal get freezer burn?
A- The loss of moisture from tissue. We prevent this by adding more water.
Q- Should I skin out the whole animal?
A- No, if its big game skinning it out to the neck is sufficient, then leave the rest for the taxidermist to take care of. If it’s from Africa they know what to do, and you won’t have to worry about it, but definitely be inquisitive and ask questions about your trophy care while your there in case it’s a new place you haven’t been too just to keep them on there toes.
Q- How do I skin out a turkey or other bird?
A- Easy, take it to your taxidermist A.S.A.P. or freeze it then take it to him. If you’re going to get a turkey mounted, trust me you don’t want to skin it. A holey turkey is a taxidermists’ worst nightmare.
Q- How do I skin out a fish?
A- Easy, refer to if you should skin out a turkey.
Q- What can I do to keep my mount maintained or looking new?
A- What we suggest to customers is take a paper towel or regular towel and spray some Windex on it and wipe your trophy gently in the direction of the fur, scales, or feathers. Or you can come to the shop and buy some expensive stuff that will do the same thing.
Q- Does sunlight affect my trophy?
A- Absolutely, direct sun will cause discoloration in the hair, and feathers, no nutrients to those parts leaves them susceptible to suns rays, just like sheds you find in the woods, after a while they turn bleach white.
Q- How should I transport my trophy from the place I harvested it to the taxidermy shop?
A- You should skin out the trophy up to the neck, and freeze it, or if it will be more than a few days and freezing it will be an issue, skin out the whole animal and you’ll have to make sure at least 80% of the fat and meat is off the skin and then salt it (non-iodized salt) After you salt it and let it dry for a few hours hang it up so more of the fluids can drain out of the skin (preventing bacteria beds to form) which causes hair to slip. If you have to skin the head out, please take you’re time and follow the bone contour of the head as closely as possible. If you haven’t done it, and don’t feel comfortable let someone else that has done it do it.
Q- Does cigarette smoke affect my trophy?
A- Absolutely, the chemicals in the smoke cause the hair or feathers to get a discoloration, a tavern yellow look, it can be somewhat fixed but not completely.
HUNTING TRIP
QUESTIONS
Q- Where do you book hunting trips at?
A- Everywhere in the world, either me, or one of the guys here at the taxidermy shop have been there and know what type of operation it is. We won’t book for anyone that we are not completely happy with all their services starting with hunting to hospitality.
Q- Are they fully guided trips or self guided trips?
A- We have both types, for different types of hunters.
Q- What are the success rates for your hunting trips?
A- Its hunting, every trip varies from species to being fully guided to self guided. The fully guided trips average from 85% for elk to 100% for caribou or black bear.
Q- How many things am I limited to bring?
A- International or national flights allow 2 pieces of luggage with one carry on case. One of these will have to be you’re weapon. If driving, bring what you’ll need, and not to much to weigh you down. A complete list is provided for any place you book with us of exactly what you need for your hunting trip.
Q- What kind of paperwork do I need to bring weapons to different countries?
A- Taking any kind of weapon or even camera you’ll have to have a declaration paper saying you have what you have and it’s yours. If going on an African hunting trip you’ll need some different paper work, but that has been changing on a yearly basis, you can call and we’ll let you know the latest information, and fax the correct paperwork to you, the same goes for Canadian hunting trips, South American hunting trips. You now need to have a passport to go to Canada!
Q- How early should I apply for a passport?
A- As soon as you find out you’re definitely going on an international hunting trip (including Canada now). We’ve had some clients take 3 to 4 months to get their passports back.
Q- How much of a deposit do I need to put down for a hunting trip?
A- 50% is required for a deposit to reserve a spot for your hunt and price that has been quoted. Prices do change on a yearly basis. All North American and South American hunts are 50% of total cost and in Africa it is 50% of the total daily rates.
Q- How early in advance do I need to put the money down for the place I like to go hunting at?
A- A.S.A.P., you’ll be surprised how fast spots will fill out.
Q- Is it safe to go hunt in Africa?
A- Every place from South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania we book for is safe. There are lots of times where a hunter’s wife accompanies him on the hunt!
Q- Have we ever been to these places we book for?
A- We have been to every place that we book for. From our North American, African, and even South American hunting trips, we make sure everything from the hunting to the hospitality is next to the best. If it’s not we don’t send our people there.
We did just get started with fishing trips so we currently are taking our customers opinions and are getting a formidable list together, and will be visiting them soon.
Q- How do we get our trophies back after our trip?
A- If from Africa, you’ll need tags from us before you leave on your trip. If from the states or Canada you’ll be responsible to have it flown or driven back with you.
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