BlairArtWorks.com

FIELD PREPARATION AND CARE

• Full Body
  
  Do not gut small animals, such as bobcat, coyote, fox, raccoons, etc.  Let cool slightly, then put in plastic bag on ice or in freezer.
   

• Shoulder Mounts
  
  Start your initial cut 3 to 4 inches behind the shoulder, cut completely around the torso. Cut from the knee down the back and outside of the leg to the torso incision. Either cut down the back of the neck from behind the back of the skull following the darker hair down the back, or leave the cape as a tube.
  
  Cut meat 3 to 4 inches behind the ears, careful not to cut the skin. Let the skin cool in the air while in a cool place (shade). Deliver to taxidermist as soon as possible. Cool and freeze if you can’t get to taxidermist within 2 days (sooner is better than later, in any case).
   

• Birds, Fish, Reptiles
  
  Do not gut, freeze specimen whole.
  
  Wrap fish in wet towel and place in plastic bag. Wrap bird in dry towel or newspaper and place in plastic bag. Place reptiles in plastic bag and freeze.
   

• Hides
  
  After skinning, spread skin out flat with flesh side up and  let skin air cool for 30 minutes in a cool place. Remove excess meat and fat. Salt generously and allow moisture to drain. Do not roll up. After a day, shake salt off and salt again, dry skin, and fold with hair in. If you have to freeze, let the skin cool and remove as much meat and fat as possible as described above. Fold hide with hair in and place in a cardboard box on pallet or something similar so air can reach the bottom of the hide.  

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