Field Care
A high quality mount starts with proper field care
So you're hunting for your trophy bird, or you've just harvested a bird you'd like mounted. What next...?
Ideally, do not retrieve birds intended for the taxidermist with a dog. Dog saliva can damage feathers and even the most soft mouthed dog can break feathers or cause holes. If hunting with a dog ensure the bird spends as little time as possible in their mouth.
Keep birds cool and clean in the field. Try to keep them off the mud and out of the sun.
Freeze them asap. Please do not let birds sit in a cooler or in the back of the truck. If you can't deliver a bird to me within 12 hours of being shot, please freeze it until you can deliver it.
Do not twist necks on injured birds or use a finisher tool. Please do not hang birds intended for the taxidermist by straps. Gently kneel on an injured bird's back to ensure it passes quickly and with the least possible damage to feathers.
Freezer burn can happen fast. Please double bag your birds with all the air squeezed out of the bags. If storing long term please wrap the feet and head in a wet paper towel before freezing. Please do not vacuum seal birds or put them in a pantyhose.
I will not take breasted out birds! If you'd like your bird breasted out I can do it for you in the shop when you deposit it.