Field Care & Drop-Off

The best mount starts in the field. A few minutes of care when you take an animal saves a lot of headaches later and gives me the most to work with. Here is what I ask of every customer.

Deer & Big Game (full-body mounts / shoulder mounts)

• Do not cut the throat or the brisket. Field dress from the sternum down, no farther forward.
• Leave plenty of hide. Cut the hide all the way around the body behind the front shoulders, halfway back on the rib cage. More is always better. I can trim, but I cannot add.
• Do not drag the animal by the neck. Hair slips and rubs off. Use a sled or drag by the antlers.
• Full body mount: if you are considering a full-body mount, please keep the entire hide and all body parts intact. For larger game animals that you plan to consume, you may field dress the animal and retain the portions intended for the mount. To create a quality full-body mount, I need the complete hide and sufficient skin from the animal. If you are unsure how to properly prepare an animal for taxidermy, please contact me before proceeding. I am happy to help you protect your trophy and ensure it is properly preserved.
• Fish and small game must be frozen whole. Please do not clean, fillet, skin, or otherwise alter them before freezing. See the individual sections below.
• Keep the head and cape cool and out of the sun. Blood and dirt are fine; heat is the enemy.
• If you cannot get it to me within a day, fold the cape skin-to-skin, put it in a garbage bag, and freeze it with the head attached. Frozen capes keep for months.
• Bring your kill tag / license information. The State of Michigan requires me to record it.

International Hunting

Contact me a month prior to going on your hunt. There are important documents that you should be prepared to complete for the importation of your trophies into the United States.

Some animals require a CITES permit for export from the home country and import into the United States.

I can also provide you with a broker who will represent you in receiving your trophies into the United States, as well as shipping instructions and specimen tags. To help ensure a smooth and efficient experience, having all the necessary paperwork completed prior to your hunt will allow us to receive your animals promptly and get the process underway as quickly as possible.

Fish

• Take good photos right away, both sides, before the color fades. I paint from your photos.
• Do not gut or fillet the fish. Do not put it on a stringer.
• Wrap the fish in a very wet towel, put it in a plastic bag, and freeze it flat. Try not to bend the tail or fins.
• Decide which side you want facing out and let me know. Damage on the other side will not show.
• For a replica, all I need is length, girth and photos. Release the fish.

Small Game & Predators

• Do not gut or skin the animal. Cool it down and freeze it whole in a plastic bag.
• Keep it away from pets and out of the sun.

European / Skull Mounts / Antler Mounts

• Leave the head whole. You can cut off the head at the base of the skull and bring it as-is.
• Keep it cool or freeze it. There is no need to skin or boil anything.

Drop-Off

I work Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or by appointment so I can give you my full attention. Call or text before you come and we will schedule a time that works. Evenings and weekends are by appointment. When you drop off, I will look the animal over with you, go over the pose and options, take your deposit, and give you a receipt with the estimated finish date.

Contact me to set up a drop-off →