Caping and skinning for shoulder mount, small mammals, birds, and fish.
Skinning for a shoulder mount
With a sharp knife slit the hide circling the body behind the shoulder at approximately the midway point of the rib cage behind the front legs. Never cut the hide in front of the legs. Slit the skin around the legs just above the knees. Do not cut the front of the arm pits or the brisket. An additional slit will be needed from the back of the leg and joining the body. Follow the "line" that is made where the brown and white body hair meets.
With the blade of the knife turned toward the meat, not the skin, slowly peel the skin forward. It is always better to leave meat on the cape rather than take to much and create a hole. Follow this process up to the base of the skull exposing the head / neck junction. Cut into the neck approximately three inches down from this junction. Circle the neck cutting through the spinal column. After this cut is complete, grasp the antler bases and twist the head until the junction is severed at the neck. This should allow the hide to be rolled up and placed in a freezer until transported to the taxidermist. These cuts should allow ample hide for the taxidermist.
REMEMBER: We can always cut off excess hide, but we can't add what we don't have.
This diagram shows the correct cuts if skinning for any type of shoulder mount. lncluding wild hogs.
Cut hide along the red lines.
Always cut the hide behind the front legs, NEVER in front of them.
If you are not 100% sure how to cut the hide, do not cut!
Small Mammals
Animals, coyote sized or smaller, should not be skinned unless by a professional. Don't gut the animal. Small mammals, especially carnivores, will spoil quickly because of their thin hide and bacteria. If you can't take the small game animal immediately to a taxidermist, as soon as the carcass cools completely, put in in a plastic bag and freeze it. With the epidemic of rabies evident in many areas of the country take every safety measure necessary when handling your game
Birds
Do not gut the bird. Rinse off and blood on the feathers with water. Take the bird immediately to you taxidermist or freeze it. Put the bird into a plastic bag for freezing being careful not to damage the feathers, including the tail. If the bird's tail feathers do not fit in the bag do not bend them. Let the tail stick out of the bag and tie the bag loosely.
Fish
Do not gut your fish. If you can not take your fish immediately to a taxidermist, wrap it in a very wet towel and put it in a plastic bag, making sure all the fins are flat against the fish's body (to prevent breakage), and freeze it. A fish frozen with this method can be kept in the freezer for months. Note: a fish will loose its coloration shortly after being caught. A good color photograph immediately after the catch may enable the taxidermist to duplicate the natural color tones of that particular fish.
If you have any questions about cutting, freezing, or anything else, please Contact Us we will be happy to help you.
Small animals, birds, and fish should be left intact and brought to us whole.
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