How long to taxidermist?

[KaibabHntr]

I've never taken an animal that I could justify spending the money to have mounted, but I have an AZ archery elk tag so maybe this will be my chance...

Question: After putting a bull down, how long do I have before I need to get the head, rack and cape to the taxidermist? What's the best way to keep everything fresh to prevent bad stuff happening to the cape that might jeopordize the quality of the mount? I'd like to get him home to show the family, then send out to a quality taxidermist asap. Thanks for your comments...

RG
www.KeyToTheKaibab.com

 

[sremim]

Treat it like you would your meat. It needs to be kept as cool as possible, however not frozen. You have as long as it takes to get it there before it starts to rot. Don't leave it laying around in the sun for a few days to show it off. I'd get it to the taxidermist the same day you get to town.

 

[Me2Hunter]

When caping, make sure you don't cut through the chest cavity, open up the chest after you skin the animal. And when cutting around the front legs try not and cut into the "armpits". After you have the cape off, my recommendation would be to salt down the entire inside of the skin roll it up and it will last a long time like that. Keep it cool also.

 

[duckslayer]

Once you choose a taxidermist he or she may give you some chemicals to put on skin as well that will kill all of the bacteria. Make sure that you wash as much of the blood off of the hair as you can. If you don't it will make the cape look like crap after being taned. A couple of days in a cool place shouldn't affect it to much as long as it is kept out of the sun.

 

[coueskiller]

Do not put salt on it unless it is completly fleshed, just keep it cold and dry and you wont have any problems.

Geoff