Field treatment of trophies for rug mounts

Large animals such as bears and large cats should ideally be skinned at the killing spot. Avoid dragging the animal along the ground as this may ruin the skin.

See drawing.

Bears normally have a thick layer of fat on the inside of the skin. It is important to leave the fat on the carcass when skinning the bear. This requires careful knife work when cutting close to the skin, but the extra time is normally well invested, as you avoid the trouble of having to scrape the fat off the skin afterwards. It is important to carefully skin each "finger" of the paws. All claw bones must be removed as the claws otherwise will come off when tanning the skin.

Cut both ears free from the scull. 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. 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, ears and paws. 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.