9 Ways to Completely Ruin Your Big-game Trophy Mount

#6 Bad Idea: Cut Lots of Holes

Good Idea:

Take your time when skinning your animal to avoid cutting holes in the hide. The fewer the holes, the better the mount will look. Taxidermists usually prefer to skin and cape the animals themselves to ensure it’s done flawlessly. This is especially the case if you want a full-bodied mount, but there are times when you have to do the job yourself. Pay close attention when skinning the brisket area and the face; these areas have short hair, making it difficult to hide cuts. Also, leave twice as much hide as you think you’ll need. This is especially important with pedestal mounts, which are becoming more and more popular. These use a fair amount more hide than traditional shoulder mounts, so take that into consideration when skinning your animal. It’s easy for the taxidermist to trim off any excess, but impossible for him to add it back on.