Field treatment of trophies for pedestal mounts

Trophies intended for pedestal mounting must never be cut at the front of the neck.

Place the first cut all the way around the animal's body between the front and hind legs - see drawing. Then cut open along the backside (topside) of the neck until a point right between the ears. From there, split the cut to a Y-shape and cut open to the horn bases on both sides and peel the skin away from the horn bases. Then cut both ears free from the scull.

After peeling the skin away from both horn bases, carefully remove the skin from the scull forward to the eye openings. In order to prevent damaging the eyelids when cutting them free, place a finger in the eye opening while cutting. This way you have a good feeling of how close to the eye opening you should cut. The lachrymal duct - or tear duct - at the front end of the eye opening can be quite deep on some deer or antelope species. Be very careful not to damage the skin here.

After cutting the eyes openings free, peel the skin off to the lips and then carefully cut these free as close to the scull as possible. Finally, peel the skin off until it is attached to the scull only by the nose cartilage. Then split the nose cartilage without damaging the nose skin.

The scull can now be boiled and picked clean. Make sure that all meat, brain material, and cartilage are removed.

Turn the ears inside out by carefully wriggling a flat, sharpened stick (or a large screwdriver) up under the skin on the backside of the ear - see drawing. When the skin is freed all the way to the tip of the ear, turn the ear inside out, leaving the freed cartilage attached to the skin. Split the lips by carefully cutting along the backside of both upper and lower lips, be careful not to cut through the lip skin. Remove any excess cartilage at the nose and split open the cartilage that holds the nostrils together.

When the skin has been cleaned and all remains of meat have been removed, the skin should be spread out with the meat side upwards. Never place a fresh skin in the sun! Apply a generous layer of salt to all parts of the skin. The salt may be coarse or fine but it must be dry and clean. On very thick skins, such as buffalo, it is a good idea to slash the skin with a sharp knife in order to allow the salt to penetrate deeper. Be careful not to cut through the skin. Rub extra salt into the skin around the ears, lips, nose and eyes. After approx. 24 hours, replace the salt with a fresh layer. Repeat this after additional 24 hours.

When the skin is almost dry, apply an insecticide (ant killer) to the fur side of the skin. Make sure that you work the insecticide well in to all creases and folds, be particularly careful at the head and ears. It may be advisable to bring your own insecticide.

When the skin is completely dry, normally after 14 days, it is ready for shipment. Remember to attach a tear proof and clearly legible identity tag to all parts of the trophy (antlers/horns and skin). Suitable tags are available from us at no charge. Attach the tags by means of plastic strips, steel wire may leave rust stains.

If you are in doubt about anything, please get in touch with us before you leave for your hunting trip. We will be glad to help you.



Click on the drawings to enlarge and print.