Tanning Vs. Instant Preserve
Some taxidermists use a method called "instant preserve". Basically this just means pouring powder onto the raw cape, then mounting them the next day. This is something Randy personally DOES NOT believe in. This is one of the questions you should ask when searching for a taxidermist. He Believes that the better the tan, the better the mount,
In the early years, Randy sent his capes out to a tannery, but wasn't wild about the results he got. It took too long for them to come back to him, and he didn't get HIS capes back. Just overall he wasn't happy with his experience. So 15 years ago Randy took on the role of tanning the hides himself, and ever since has been extremely happy with his results. You can be assured that your trophy will be properly salted, pickled, and tanned in a way that you can enjoy it for generations to come.
In the early years, Randy sent his capes out to a tannery, but wasn't wild about the results he got. It took too long for them to come back to him, and he didn't get HIS capes back. Just overall he wasn't happy with his experience. So 15 years ago Randy took on the role of tanning the hides himself, and ever since has been extremely happy with his results. You can be assured that your trophy will be properly salted, pickled, and tanned in a way that you can enjoy it for generations to come.
Field Care for Trophy Deer
- One way to make sure you do not damage the cape of your trophy deer is to, after a kill, make sure you carefully move it from where is was killed. DO NOT drag it behind an ATV or anything else you think may cause damage to the cape. If possible use a Jet Sled, put the deer on the back of your ATV, and if absolutely necessary and the only option you have is dragging your deer, hold the deer as high off the ground as you can by its antlers while dragging it.
- If you must hang your deer make sure you do not hang it by its antlers. Over time the process of hanging will diminish the spread of your antlers.
- Never forget to tag and register your deer. This is without a doubt the most important step.
Fish Care
- Make sure to take several photos of your fish after you catch it, this way your taxidermist will be able to recreate the color of the fish if its scales fade.
- Make sure to measure how long the fish is starting at the tip of the tail to the end of it jaw (closed). To measure the width of the fish measure around the widest part of the fish. The fish can then be released, or cleaned and eaten.
- The photographs and measurements allow the taxidermist to create the most realistic, and to scale version of your trophy fish.
Questions to ask when selecting your taxidermist
- Do you tan the hides yourself?
- Do you use quality forms?
- What kind of eyes are available?
- How long have you been in business?
- Do you have any recent work i can view the quality of?
- Do you have any older work so i can see how it withstands over time?
These questions will help you in selecting a taxidermist. There are a lot of good taxidermists around, but there are also a lot of bad ones out there whose quality is not up to par with today's standards. Don't be afraid to ask questions and look at their work. If they can't accommodate these for you, they are not worth your time.
For additional information , how-to instructions, and more, visit this link to visit the Mckenzies training website here -> http://www.mckenziesp.com/Training.aspx