Growling Bear's Den

LOCATED IN MORRISTON , FL
32668

352-528-6451

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

2008 Price List

Flat Incision
Caping
Small mammals
Birds
Tips

Field Care

1 | 2

Note: Because of the various diseases that wild game can transmit to humans, always use extreme caution when handling the carcass. Use rubber or latex gloves and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after handling

The Flat Incision

The flat incision is used for rug mounts and for a variety of poses. The areas to be cut are shown in figure 1. Make these slits (cutting the feet free from the carcass) and pull the skin off the carcass. The head is detached as with the shoulder mount.

Note: if you can't take your hide immediately to a taxidermist, freeze it to your taxidermist's specifications.

Caping for a Shoulder Mount

With a sharp knife slit the hide circling the body behind the front legs. Slit the skin around the legs just above the knees. An additional slit will be needed from the back of the leg and joining the body cut behind the legs (Figure 2A and 2B).

Peel the skin forward up to the ears and jaw exposing the head / neck junction. Cut into the neck approximately three inches down from this junction. Circle the neck cutting down to the spinal column. After this cut is complete, grasp the antler bases and twist the head of the neck. This should allow the hide to be rolled up and put in a freezer until transported to the taxidermist. These cuts should allow hide for the taxidermist to work with in mounting. Remember the taxidermist can cut off excess hide but he can't add what he doesn't have.

Note: When field dressing a trophy to be mounted, don't cut into the brisket (chest) or neck area. If blood gets onto the hide to be mounted, wash it off with snow or water as soon as possible. Also avoid dragging the deer out of the woods with a rope. Place it on a sled, rickshaw, or 4-wheeler. The rope, rocks, or a broken branch from a deadfall can easily damage the fur or puncture the hide. If you do need to drag it out with a rope, attach the rope to the base of the antlers and drag your trophy carefully.

Taken from:
McKenzie Taxidermy Supply. (2000). Trophy Field Care Guide [Brochure].