After the Hunt: 5 Things to Know Before You Go | Gun Talk

Published on November 17, 2019
Duration: 4:36

This video provides essential post-hunt advice for preserving game animals, focusing on taxidermy preparation. Key takeaways include understanding the impact of temperature and location on game handling, proper skinning and cleaning techniques to prevent decay and slippage, leaving adequate hide length for taxidermist flexibility, and the critical importance of cooling the animal immediately after harvest. The speaker, with extensive experience in taxidermy, emphasizes these steps to ensure trophy quality.

Quick Summary

To preserve a game animal's trophy quality, prioritize immediate cooling after harvest. Skin the animal, wash the hide thoroughly to remove blood and bacteria, and then lay it flat in a freezer. Avoid freezing a hot, balled-up hide, as this can cause hair slippage and damage.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Taxidermy Passion
  2. 00:17How the Speaker Started Taxidermy
  3. 00:37Learning Taxidermy with a DVD
  4. 00:57First Taxidermy Mount
  5. 01:01Volume of Taxidermy Work
  6. 01:12The Cost of Hunting
  7. 01:305 Things to Know After the Hunt
  8. 01:36Tip 1: Know What You're Hunting & Where
  9. 02:00Tip 2: Temperature's Impact on Hides
  10. 02:07Tip 3: Know How to Skin an Animal
  11. 02:21CWD Regulations and Transport
  12. 02:34Tip 4: How to Clean Your Game
  13. 02:53Blood Causes Slippage
  14. 03:08Tip 5: Leave Enough Hide for Mounts
  15. 03:17Understanding Mount Types
  16. 03:41Tip 6: Get the Animal Cool Immediately
  17. 04:01Problems with Freezing Hot Hides
  18. 04:13Best Practice: Freeze the Hide
  19. 04:20Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important factors to consider when preserving a game animal's cape after a hunt?

Temperature, proper skinning techniques, thorough cleaning to remove blood and mud, leaving adequate hide length for the taxidermist, and immediately cooling the animal are critical. These steps prevent decay, slippage, and hair loss, ensuring the best possible outcome for a trophy mount.

How does temperature affect game animal hides after hunting?

Temperature significantly impacts hide preservation. Warmer temperatures accelerate decay and bacterial growth, requiring quicker handling and cooling. Colder temperatures allow more time, but proper cooling is still essential to prevent issues like hair slippage when the hide is eventually processed.

Why is it important to clean blood off a harvested animal's hide?

Blood contains bacteria and promotes decay. As soon as an animal dies, decomposition begins. Cleaning blood off the hide quickly stops this process from accelerating, prevents slippage, and avoids issues like mud and debris getting embedded, which can ruin the taxidermy.

What is the best practice for freezing a game animal hide for taxidermy?

The best practice is to skin the animal, wash the hide thoroughly, cool it down, and then lay it flat in the freezer. Avoid balling up a hot hide and freezing it, as the internal heat can persist for hours, leading to hair loss and slippage.

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