Fild Care For Your Specimen

Probably the most important part of getting a good mount back from the taxidermist is providing them with a well cared for specimen. Here are a few tips to help you get your trophy to me in as good of shape as possible.

They say life begins at forty. 40 degrees Fahrenheit that is. If you are a tissue destroying bacteria. The first and most important step with any specimen is to get it cold fast.

Big Birds - Turkeys, Swans, Geese, etc.

If you cannot get the bird to me within 24 hours; tuck its head under a wing, wrap it up as tight as you can in a plastic bag, forcing as much air out as possible, and freeze it. The meat will be fine. If you cant freeze it; make a small incision from the anus forward up the belly about four inches. Remove the entrails, fill the cavity with ice, and keep it cold. A large bird will keep like this in a cooler for three or four days.

Smaller Birds - Ducks, Pheasants, etc.

The best thing for small birds is immediate freezing. How you freeze them is extremely important to prevent freezer burn. Sealing the bird from any air will prevent freezer burn. Take wet paper towels and wrap them around the birds head and feet. Tuck the head under a wing, and roll it up tightly in a plastic sack forcing out all air, label it, and freeze. For really small birds like quail and parakeets,first soak the anal and belly area with rubbing alcohol, then follow above instructions. (The alcohol kills the bacteria where little birds are notorious for losing feathers.)

Fish

The best thing for fish is Borax. Thats right Twenty Mule Team Borax, found in the laundry soap section at your store. Keep a box with you in your boat or wherever. As soon as you catch a fish you want to mount; take good photos, then immediately while the fish is still alive coat the entire fish in Borax especially around the fins and head. Wrap it up in newspaper or a damp towel, then wrap it in a plastic sack and seal out all air. DO NOT GUT THE FISH.

Do's & Dont's

Lets talk about the no-no's. You've probably heard; "just stuff the bird in a nylon stocking" Well, thats not a bad idea but be sure you wrap it in plastic or else air will cause freezer burn quickly. Leaving a fish unprotected in a freezer, will cause extreme damage to the fins, scales, and color. Also, by not coating the fish with Borax quickly, you will cause fin haloing; it will rapidly lose color.