DON"T assume your guide, outfitter, knows how to skin, your animal.

[cedarriver]

 This is probably preaching to the choir, but may help some who read this. Hunters need to educate themselves on how to properly take care of a animal for a shoulder mount or life size, or what ever. There is very good info on this site on how to do all of this.
  Why I'm writing this is over the last three days I've taken in three elk all killed with guides and outfitters, from Montana, Idaho, and Oregon, who don't no what the heck they are doing. One cut long but with the brisket completely gone, another cut real short, just barley past the neck, and the last that they dragged a very long distance, dragging all the hair off one side, plus salting without splitting the lips, nostrils, eye lids, and turning the ears.
   So just trying to get the word out to educate yourself on the proper way to skin and take care of things for mounts before you go out into the field. Good idea to go talk to your taxidermist too and find out how they like it taken care of.
  Maybe some smarter than me can post this in the other big game areas, (deer, elk, bear, etc.)
 Thanks, Rick

[JackOfAllTrades]

For the amount of money a hunter pays a guide, you'd hope that the proper care of the pelt would be included in the fee. Although, anyone paying for a service should inquire as to what level of service will be presented from the time they start the hunt and get back.
 
-Steve

[cedarriver]

You would like to think so Steve, but anymore that doesn't seem to be the way things get done. Hunters need to ask if their skins will be taken care of completely,
(and have the knowledge of what that entails), especially if the weather is warm and they will be in the back country for an extended time. Seems to be a piece of the puzzle that is getting lost in the last few years.

[JLS]

Good advice.  It really isn't that hard to take care of capes.  A little reading and a little practice, coupled with a sharp knife and some patience is all it takes.  I have caped my own stuff and critters for my hunting buddy.  Never yet has one turned out bad.

[FSTaxidermy]

This is probably preaching to the choir, but may help some who read this. Hunters need to educate themselves on how to properly take care of a animal for a shoulder mount or life size, or what ever. There is very good info on this site on how to do all of this.
  Why I'm writing this is over the last three days I've taken in three elk all killed with guides and outfitters, from Montana, Idaho, and Oregon, who don't no what the heck they are doing. One cut long but with the brisket completely gone, another cut real short, just barley past the neck, and the last that they dragged a very long distance, dragging all the hair off one side, plus salting without splitting the lips, nostrils, eye lids, and turning the ears.
   So just trying to get the word out to educate yourself on the proper way to skin and take care of things for mounts before you go out into the field. Good idea to go talk to your taxidermist too and find out how they like it taken care of.
  Maybe some smarter than me can post this in the other big game areas, (deer, elk, bear, etc.)
 Thanks, Rick

Good word Rick, had three last year where the hides were salted and the nose area had about half an inch of flesh still on them (was like working with beef jerky) no salt penetrating through that much flesh, luckily hair didn't fall off.

Bearpaw might have some suggestions on how hunters should ask about this super important area? 

[WonkyWapiti]

This year I had euro mounts done on my elk and deer.  Prior to that tho for practice I caped both out and had my buddy, who has taken care of numerous backcountry animals, show me exactly how to take my cape off the skull and correctly take care of the lips, nostrils, eyelids, and ears.

Previously I had taken all my animals to be mounted to my taxi and had him do it.  Now I feel alot more confident in being able to do it myself in the back country.

[FSTaxidermy]

This year I had euro mounts done on my elk and deer.  Prior to that tho for practice I caped both out and had my buddy, who has taken care of numerous backcountry animals, show me exactly how to take my cape off the skull and correctly take care of the lips, nostrils, eyelids, and ears.

Previously I had taken all my animals to be mounted to my taxi and had him do it.  Now I feel alot more confident in being able to do it myself in the back country.

 

[Kuduman]

some of the worst skinning jobs I've seen have come from outfitters. you'd think that they would be masters of their trade but often times I think they feel there job is done once the critter is on the ground. I teach several clients each year how to cape deer, elk and bear so that if they ever shoot an animal they don't want to mount they have a useable cape for cash or shop credit.

[bugs n bones]

This is probably preaching to the choir, but may help some who read this. Hunters need to educate themselves on how to properly take care of a animal for a shoulder mount or life size, or what ever. There is very good info on this site on how to do all of this.
  Why I'm writing this is over the last three days I've taken in three elk all killed with guides and outfitters, from Montana, Idaho, and Oregon, who don't no what the heck they are doing. One cut long but with the brisket completely gone, another cut real short, just barley past the neck, and the last that they dragged a very long distance, dragging all the hair off one side, plus salting without splitting the lips, nostrils, eye lids, and turning the ears.
   So just trying to get the word out to educate yourself on the proper way to skin and take care of things for mounts before you go out into the field. Good idea to go talk to your taxidermist too and find out how they like it taken care of.
  Maybe some smarter than me can post this in the other big game areas, (deer, elk, bear, etc.)
 Thanks, Rick

Rick is exactly right!! If you dont know what you doing ask for help so you can learn the proper way

[bustbigking]

I dont let anyone but Rick at CedarRiverTax skin out my trophy animals. Always the best quality job and the best customer service there is around!! Thank's Rick!
joel king