If you’re a large game hunter, it is important to know your local big game taxidermists. Big game taxidermy is a form of art that celebrates the beauty and majesty of large game animals like moose, bear, and African big game species. Hunters often choose to have their trophies taxidermied to preserve the memory of their successful hunts. Not only is it important to research your local big game taxidermists but you also need to ensure the proper hide preparation.
Research Local Big Game Taxidermists
Research and choose a taxidermist whose work appeals to you before heading out to hunt. Consulting them beforehand will help you provide the necessary tools for the best outcome. You want to ensure that they are trusted and skilled taxidermists and that their work and taxidermy style appeal to you. When researching local big game taxidermists you should consider the following:
Location: How local are they? If you have a large mount being done, you have to consider the shipping or transportation costs.
Cost: Discussing cost and price range ahead of time ensures that you are getting your money’s worth without surprise fees.
Portfolio: Not all taxidermists are created equally. Make sure to review their portfolio of work ahead of time so that you can see if their aesthetic and work quality match what you are looking for in a mount.
Proper Field Care for Best Results
The quality of your taxidermy mount begins with proper field care. Here are some more ways to help your trophy be in the best condition:
- Cool the Carcass Quickly: The quicker the carcass is cooled after field dressing the better. This will dramatically aid in hide preservation and help to prevent hair slip.
- Avoid Dragging: When possible, avoid dragging the animal at all. If you must drag, use a tarp or game cart to protect the hide from damage.
- Keep It Clean: The hide should be kept as clean as possible during field dressing and transport. Dirt and other debris can complicate the taxidermy process.
- Proper Storage: If you cannot get the hide to a taxidermist immediately, store it in a cool, dry place. For longer-term storage, consider having it professionally salted or tanned.
How to Prepare Your Hide
Once you have your taxidermist lined up, and have had a successful hunt you want to make sure the hide is properly prepared for the taxidermist. Here are some essential tips to follow when preparing your big game for taxidermy:
Pay Attention to Skinning: When skinning your game, leave about 1½ feet of excess skin to give the taxidermist room to work with. Cut up through the skin and from the inside out to preserve the coat in ideal condition.
Freeze the Hide After Field Prepping: After preparing your game, let the hide cool properly before freezing it. Using a game bag during this process is essential to maintain the hide’s integrity. If you can freeze the hide quickly, avoid salting it as salt can interfere with freezing and cause issues, especially with large game animals.
Understanding the Taxidermy Process
Knowing what transpires after you hand over your trophy to the taxidermist can perhaps help you appreciate the artistry involved in it all.
- Tanning: The hide is taken to a professional to be tanned so that it may be preserved and workable for mounting.
- Selection of Form: Next, the taxidermist matches or creates a form to be your animal’s size and the desired pose.
- Mounting: The tanned hide is carefully fitted over the form, with detail to areas around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Finishing: The areas that would be exposed are painted, and the fur is groomed.
- Drying: It is left to completely dry out, which may take weeks.
Most importantly, this will let you know what it takes to do a mount properly in terms of time and skill involved.
Considering these extra aspects of big game taxidermy will go a long way in enabling you to preserve your trophy and memory of the hunt.
Ready to Contact A Local Big Game Taxidermist?
At Artistic Visions Wildlife we have an expansive portfolio of local and exotic big game taxidermy. Our expertise in taxidermy speaks for itself in the work that we do to preserve the animal.
Get In Touch With A Professional Taxidermist At Artistic Visions Wildlife
Call: (610) 301-2333
Email: info@artisticvisionswildlife.com
Visit: 507 Benjamin Franklin Highway West, Douglassville, PA 19518
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