Guide to proper preparation of animals for grooming

To ensure optimal results when dressing animals, it is essential to take the right precautions to preserve the hide and head in the best possible condition. Follow these steps to ensure that the animal can be professionally processed:

1. Ensure adequate skin

It is always better to have too much skin than too little, so cut back with a good margin when you start the work to ensure enough skinn for the mounted animal.

2. Avoid critical cuts

Do not cut behind the head: Avoid cuts that may damage the skin behind the head, as this may make fitting more difficult.
Avoid cuts at the front of the neck: Keep the neck intact at the front for the best possible result when fitting.

3. First cut

Start with a smooth circular cut around the body, just behind the front legs. This ensures a good starting point for a well-proportioned and lifelike montage.

4. Correct cut of the neck skin

Cut the neck skin along the top of the neck. Avoid cutting below the neck , as this can cause challenges during assembly.

5. Quick handling of the head

To prevent decomposition, the head must be handled quickly:

If a taxidermist is going to process the head , it should be harvested as soon as possible after felling.
If immediate delivery is not possible , freeze the head in a sealed plastic bag to prevent drying and damage.

6. Preparing the skull for bleaching and boiling

If you only want the skull boiled and bleached, follow these steps:

Skin the head as quickly as possible after felling and remove all skin and tissue.
Place the skull in cold water for 2–3 days to loosen remaining tissue.
After soaking, wrap the skull in plastic and freeze it until it can be processed.

7. Transport and storage

If you can deliver the entire head directly to a taxidermist after felling, there is no need to skin the animal yourself.
For longer storage, make sure the head is well wrapped and frozen to preserve quality.

8. Special considerations for animals with dense and hollow hair

When it comes to animals with dense and hollow hair, such as reindeer, it is very important to cool the skin as quickly as possible, preferably on snow or ice. In addition, the neck skin should be salted as quickly as possible to preserve its quality.

By following these guidelines you will ensure the best possible quality of the finished specimen. Contact an experienced taxidermist for further advice and guidance!

Field processing

Field processing taxidermy