Wolverine Creative Services Taxidermy

Caping Big Game for a Shoulder Mount

• Follow the diagrams at right.
• Never cut up the brisket (chest and neck area) when field dressing.
• Never attempt to remove the skull.
• Don't cut the cape too short -- Your taxidermist will remove any excess. 
• Take it to your taxidermist A.S.A.P or freeze it.
• Never hang or drag your deer with a rope around it's neck.  This will damage the hair and show on your mount.
• Attach the rope to the base of the antlers and drag it carefully out of the field.

FISH

• Take a good color picture ASAP--True color fades fast.
• Don't let the fish flop around -- This will cause scale damage.
• Never gut your fish.
• Ice down the fish and get it the taxidermist ASAP.

If you're not able to get it to the taxidermist right away:

• Measure the fish from nose to tail.
• Make sure the fins are flat against the body.
• Wrap it in a very wet bath towel.
• Place it in a plastic bag, seal, and freeze.

Field Skinning of Large Life-Size Game

*Skinning Large Game for a Rug-Style Mount:

• Follow the diagram at right. 
• Never remove the skull or the feet.
• Freeze the hide ASAP.

*Skinning Large Game for a Life-Size Mount:

• This is done depending on the type of mount and position you choose.
• Make sure you have detailed instructions from your taxidermist or have an experienced guide skin the mammal. 

• Incisions made in the wrong areas may show up on the finished mount.

*Skinning for a Shoulder Mount:

• Follow the Caping instructions for a deer -- Never remove the skull.
• Always leave enough hide -- It can not be added later during mounting.

Small Life-Size Mammals

• Do not skin or gut the animal.
• Small mammals spoil very quickly -- Get it to your taxidermist ASAP.

If you can't get it to your taxidermist ASAP:

• Wrap the muzzle (nose and face) in a wet towel and place it in a plastic bag and freeze ASAP.

BIRDS

• Never gut the bird.
• Make sure the feathers remain flat -- Do not bend.
• Cool the bird with ice ASAP.
• Take the bird to your taxidermist or freeze it by placing it in a plastic bag.
• Make sure to lay it out flat without damaging the feathers or the tail.

Tips and Suggestions:

• Proper care on your part is very important.
• Shot placement on the animal can show on your mount.  Don't shoot in the head or neck.
• Don't cut the throat.
• Don't leave it hanging too long or drive around with it to show it off.  Hides will spoil very quickly especially in warm weather and can not be saved.
• When in doubt, freeze it.

Doing your part in the field will ensure you have the best looking mount I can produce.

1. Make sure you have the proper license or paper-work with you.
2. Bring the correct deposit amount with you.
3. Bring any reference photos of your fish.