Field Care |
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Field Care Proper field care is critical. Cool or freeze hides or specimens as soon as possible. Take several reference photos. Handle bird by feet only. Keep feathers flat against the body. Place bird in a nylon stocking, head first. Do not place in plastic until the bird is frozen to prevent spoiling. When frozen, wrap in plastic, as airtight as possible to prevent freezer burn. Return to the freezer until specimen can be delivered to the taxidermist. When harvesting the bird remember, DO NOT RING THE NECK! Mammals If you are not doing a complete skin and flesh yourself, skin by taking the following steps: Deer and elk from outside California must be completely caped. No spinal cord or brain tissue can be brought into the state. Do not cut hide above sternum on belly. Cut along inside of legs to ankle. Peel hide to base of neck and cut off head. Freeze hide and head immediately. Do not use rock salt. Do not drag animal if possible. If you are caping your animal completely, please call or email for detailed instructions. Also contact us before the hunt if you are considering a life-size mount. For antlered and horned animals that have been caped, cut off antlers from the back of the head through the eye sockets to the nose. Keep as much of the eye sockets as possible, for reference. Remember, for deer and elk taken outside of California, all spinal cord and brain tissue must be removed before bringing antlers into the state. If you wish to send us a skull for cleaning with dermestid beetles please follow the following instructions:
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