Memory Making: How to Get Your Trophy to the Taxidermist

Whether it’s your first whitetail, a once-in-a-lifetime bighorn sheep, a spring gobbler that wouldn’t stop gobbling, or the greenhead you folded over the decoys on opening morning, good taxidermy preserves more than an animal – it preserves a memory.

The quality of your mount doesn’t begin in the taxidermy shop. It begins the moment your hunt is over. The care you take in the field has a bigger impact on the finished product than most hunters realize.

If you invest thousands of dollars and countless hours into a hunt, spending a little extra time protecting your trophy is well worth the effort. Here’s how to get your animal from the field to the taxidermist while giving them the best chance to create a mount you’ll be proud to display for decades.

Credit: Guided Bighorn Sheep Hunt in Utah

Researching

The best time to find a taxidermist isn’t after you’ve harvested your animal – it’s before you ever leave home.

Think about the species you’re hunting and how you’d like to display it. Are you envisioning a shoulder mount for your elk? A European mount for your mule deer? A full-body black bear? A flying duck mount?

Not every taxidermist specializes in every species. Waterfowl, big game, predators, fish, and life-size mounts all require different skills.

When researching taxidermists:

• Ask to see recent examples of their work.
• Read reviews from other hunters.
• Ask how long their turnaround time is.
• Find out how they prefer trophies to be delivered.
• Ask whether they specialize in your species.
• Don’t choose based solely on price – quality taxidermy is an investment.

Your hunting guide or outfitter is also one of the best resources. Many work with trusted local taxidermists every season and can point you toward someone with a proven reputation.

Plan Ahead With Your Guide

When you book your hunt, let your outfitter know if you think you’ll want a mount.

Most experienced guides will handle an animal differently if they know it’s headed to a taxidermist. They can often help with field care, caping, skinning, freezing, and transportation.

Ask questions like:

• Do you provide caping services?
• Is freezer storage available?
• Do you work with a local taxidermist?
• Can you help arrange shipping if I’m flying home?
• Are there any special considerations for this species?

If you’ve already selected a taxidermist, give them a call before your hunt. They’ll often provide specific instructions based on the type of mount you want and can prepare to receive your trophy when the hunt is over.

One phone call before the season can prevent a lot of disappointment afterward.

Credit: Guided Turkey Hunt in Holliday, Texas

Harvesting

Taxidermists can make a salted cape and antlers look like a springing whitetail if you have treated the animal well during the harvest. Wounds can be patched, but if you drag a deer for a mile, there will be bald patches that no amount of work can fix. Also, when caping (skinning), animal care should be made to make clean cuts in areas that won’t be prominent on display. For waterfowlers, wrapping damp towels around the beak and feet will keep the skin from cracking, while sliding the bird in a pair of nylons will keep the feathers intact. These elements are why it’s a good idea to let your guide know ahead of time if you want an animal to be mounted.

Field Care Makes All the Difference

Even the best taxidermist can’t undo poor field care.

The goal is simple: keep the hide, cape, feathers, and hair as clean and undamaged as possible.

Big Game Tips

• Avoid dragging the animal whenever possible.
• Keep dirt, leaves, and debris off the cape.
• Cool the animal quickly.
• Make clean cuts when field dressing.
• Let an experienced guide cape the animal if you’re unsure.
• Avoid unnecessary knife cuts around the shoulders, neck, and brisket.

Waterfowl Tips

Birds require even more delicate handling.

• Don’t carry birds by the neck.
• Keep feathers dry and clean.
• Wrap the beak and feet with damp paper towels.
• Place the bird inside a breathable game bag or nylon stocking to protect feathers.
• Freeze the bird as soon as possible if it won’t reach the taxidermist quickly.

Small details make a huge difference in the finished mount.

Common Mistakes Hunters Make

Most taxidermy problems happen before the animal ever reaches the shop.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Leaving the animal in the back of a truck on a warm day.
• Storing wet hides in sealed plastic bags.
• Dragging an animal long distances.
• Waiting too long to cool the meat and cape.
• Making unnecessary cuts while skinning.
• Freezing and thawing multiple times.
• Waiting weeks before contacting a taxidermist.

The sooner your trophy is properly cared for, the better your finished mount will look.

Credit: Trophy Whitetail Hunt in Paris, TX

Transporting Your Trophy

Getting your trophy home safely is just as important as harvesting it.

If You’re Driving

• Keep the cape cool and dry.
• Use coolers with ice, but don’t allow the hide to sit in water.
• If delivery will be delayed, freeze the cape as soon as possible.

If You’re Flying

Many destination hunts require flying home.

Talk with your outfitter beforehand about:

• Local taxidermists
• Caping services
• Skull cleaning
• Shipping options
• Airline regulations for transporting antlers and hides

In many cases, having the trophy professionally prepared before shipping is the safest option.

If You’re Shipping

If shipping your trophy directly to your taxidermist:

• Ship as quickly as possible.
• Use insulated packaging when appropriate.
• Let the taxidermist know it’s coming.
• Follow any preparation instructions they provide.

Every taxidermist has stories about beautiful trophies ruined during shipping because they sat in transit too long.

Preserve the Memory

Long after the meat has been shared, the photos have been posted, and camp stories have been told, your mount becomes a reminder of the experience.

You’ll remember the cold morning, the long hike, the friends who shared camp, and the moment everything finally came together.

Great taxidermy isn’t about showing off.

It’s about preserving a memory you’ll be able to relive every time you walk past that mount.

With a little planning, proper field care, and good communication with your outfitter and taxidermist, you’ll give your trophy – and the story behind it – the best chance to last for generations.