Prep Tips – Preparing Your Trophy
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 animals immediately to a taxidermist, as soon as the carcass cools completely, put it in a plastic bag and freeze it.
Birds, Do not gut the bird. Rinse off any blood on the feathers with water. Take the bird immediately to your taxidermist or freeze it. To freeze, place the bird in a plastic bag with the head under either wing being careful not to damage the feathers, including the tail. If the bird’s tail feathers do not fit into 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, place it in a plastic bag, making sure all of the fins are flat against the fish’s body (to prevent breakage), and freeze it. A fish frozen with this method can safely be kept in a freezer for months.
Note:Fish will loose its coloration shortly after being caught. A good photograph after the catch will enable the taxidermist to duplicate the natural color tones of that particular fish.