Your trophy of a lifetime is very important. A top quality mount depends largely on the condition it is in when I recieve it from you.

Heat is your trophy's biggest enemy. Some steps must be taken to insure that I recieve your trophy in the best condition possible.

DEER and OTHER BIG GAME:

When removing the "entrails", be careful not to cut up through the brisket area (the large tuft of hair in the lower chest area).Make the incision just long enough to "get the job done".

The "brisket" is a very important part of the mount.

Some states require that the tag be attached to the ear of the animal. Please DO NOT slit the ear to attach your tag.

A large safety pin will hold the tag securely to the ear without leaving a large cut to repair.

While dragging your deer, be sure to keep the shoulders off the ground. Large "drag" marks are almost impossible to repair.

Also, if you are using a rope, tie it around the antlers instead of the neck. Deer hair is actually hollow during the winter. A tight rope will bend the hair. Sometimes this is impossible to straighten out.

Keep your deer away from all heat sources. Skin your deer yourself or get it to a butcher as soon as possible.

If you are taking it to a butcher shop, make sure he knows that you plan to have your deer mounted. Also, a word about butchers. They are my worst nightmare! If you know how to "cape" your deer yourself, do it. If not, make sure the butcher you take it to knows what he's doing.

For more info on caping your deer, see my How To Cape Your Deer page.

FISH:

Fish begin to lose their color very quickly. A color photograph of your fish will be a big help in reproducing the color on your mount.

Keep your fish from "flopping" around on the ground. DO NOT gut your fish!

Place it in a plastic "garbage" bag, force the air out, seal it and freeze it.