The harvest is done and the rush of adrenaline is settling in. Before you take photos, break out the celebration drinks, or think about camp dinner, there are a few critical steps you need to take if you want a quality mount from this animal. The clock starts the moment the animal goes down.
Take Photos First
Before you touch anything else, take detailed photos of the animal in the field from multiple angles. These reference photos are invaluable to your taxidermist, especially for species where color fades quickly — turkey heads, fish, and waterfowl in particular. Get shots of both sides, the face, the antlers, and any distinctive markings. Natural light photos are far more useful than flash photos for color reference.
Field Dress Carefully if You're Keeping the Cape
If you're planning to mount a deer, be deliberate with your field dressing cuts. Avoid cutting through the brisket or up the front of the chest — keep those cuts as minimal as possible. For birds, do not field dress them at all if you plan to mount them. Hunters sometimes reach for their knife out of habit — resist that urge with any animal you're planning to take to the taxidermist.
Get the Trophy Cool and to a Professional Quickly
Once field dressed (for mammals) or bagged (for birds and fish), the goal is getting the trophy cool as fast as possible. Prop the body cavity open for airflow, get it out of direct sunlight, and move it toward your vehicle. If you're hunting in warm weather, ice is non-negotiable. Contact your taxidermist the next morning to schedule a drop-off — most prefer to receive fresh or properly salted capes rather than frozen ones, but confirm their preference before making assumptions.
The few extra minutes you spend on proper post-harvest care are among the best investments you can make in the quality of your finished trophy.