Field Care Step 1

Slit the hide in a complete circle at the midpoint of the rib cage, 1 foot behind the shoulders. Then cut around both forelegs above the knee.

Field Care Step 2

Make twin cuts under the chest. Start from the first circular cut around the rib cage and continue along the back of one leg to join the cut you made above the knee. Then do the other leg.

Field Care Step 3

Peel the skin forward up to the back of the ears using your knife as little as possible to avoid nicks. Holding the skin out of the way, cut through the neck 3 inches behind the head-neck junction. Twist off the head, complete with antlers and cape.

After Care

The easiest and best way of preserving your mount from dust, insects, or accidental damage would be to put a glass display case over it. However, due to cost, pose and size of a mount this would be a limited factor.

Dust Prevention and Cleaning

What I do in my showroom and to every customer's mammals and game heads to prevent dust is I spray a product called taxidermy magic over the animal let sit for a minute or two then wipe it down with a clean cloth or paper towel. This product will repel dust for several months or longer depending on the environment. If you notice dust on your trophy I will use an ostrich feather duster to clean it of dust, or compressed air, I don't recommend a vacuum because there is the possibility of being to rough on the mount around the facial area unless there is an adapter with soft brush end suitable to do so. Then after the dusting you can spray on the taxidermy magic and repeat the above steps. For birds and fish I only use a compressed air dust remover as necessary.

Insect Prevention and Control

This one is a big deal folks and it can happen to anyone's trophy and to any highly acclaimed taxidermist that did the mounting or tanning. This can happen on professionally tanned hides or ones that were dry preserved and mounted.