Skinning (caping) a big game animal for a shoulder mount:
(deer, antelope, elk, moose, caribou, etc.)
First, do not cut too far up into the chest cavity when “gutting” out your animal. Stop below the “pit” areas.  Next, cut the hide circling the body behind the front shoulders. Stay back far enough to leave plenty of extra hide.  It is better to have more hide than not enough.  Next, cut around the legs just above the knees.  Then, cut on the back side of the legs where the white and brown hair patterns meet (deer).  Cut up towards the body and then cut straight back to join up with the cut made circling around the body. You will then be able to peel the hide up towards the head.  You will then sever the head and cape from the carcass by cutting around the meat approximately six inches below the jaw line. Once you cut through the meat all of the way around down to the spinal column, twist the head off from the rest of the carcass.  It is important to cool the cape down as soon as possible. It’s best if you can get it to us as soon as possible. If not, place into a plastic bag and into a freezer.  Too many people have the misconception that if its cold outside that it will be fine.  Bacteria sets in as soon as the animal dies, therefore causing spoilage.  Leaving the animal outside to freeze slowly will also result in a ruined cape.  The outside air will dry out the cape, making it hard to skin and turn as the skin will lose it’s elasticity. In summary, bring to us as soon as possible or freeze rock hard solid in a freezer shortly after caping.

Skinning a big game animal for a life-size mount:
In most cases, we prefer the “dorsal” method of skinning. Do not “gut” the animal first. Make a long slit down the center of the back (from the base of tail up to the neck).  Then peel the hide off of the carcass. Leave the head and paws or feet attached to the hide.  Bring your trophy to us as soon as possible or place into a plastic bag and into a freezer shortly after skinning.  If you have any questions on this method feel free to contact us for further instruction.
Skinning for a rug (bear in most cases).
Place the animal flat on its back. Cut from each leg on center from the pad to the center of the animal. Then make an incision joining the two previous cuts made.  Peel the hide from the carcass.  Sever the feet and head from the carcass leaving them attached to the hide.  We will take care of the rest. It is important to cool the hide down and get to us asap.  Here again if this is not an option, place into a plastic bag and into a freezer shortly after skinning.

Small Mammals:
It is best to leave the skinning to us. Small mammals spoil quickly due to their thin hides and bacteria content. Therefore it is very important to freeze them as soon as possible in a plastic bag or get to us shortly after taking the animal.

Birds:
Do not attempt to breast or clean your bird if you want to have it mounted. It is best to place into a plastic bag and freeze as soon as possible or bring into us shortly after the hunt.  This is ideal so that we can inspect your bird with you to determine if it is a good specimen for mounting. We are concerned with pin feathers (feathers not fully developed) and the overall plumage of the bird.  Also, minimal shot damage is ideal for a good specimen.

Fish:
The best thing you can do to take care of a fish you wish to have mounted is to wrap the fish in a wet towel and place into a plastic bag, sealing it up tight and freeze it until you can get it into us.  Do NOT use newspaper.

Remote Hunting Trips:  Contact us prior to your hunt and we can give you instruction pertaining to your specific species.