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Head and Shoulder Mounts Skin heads as shown in diagram. Make initaial cut along back of neck and a second cut forming a "T" running to the base of the horns. Cut carefully around the horns or antlers and cut the skin away from the base. On the antlered game, a heavy screwdriver is used in prying skin loose around the antlers.

Heads Cut ear cartilage from skull on the inside and clean meat away from base of ear. Skin down the skull, being careful not to cut through the skin, especially around the eyes. Use the fingers of the free hand as a guide on the outside to be certain you are not cutting the lids.

Lips The lips should be cut close to the skull, leaving the lips attached to the skin. The inside of the lips should then be slit.

Scalps Make sure that scalps are cut long enough for the type of mount desired. Scalps for the mounts should be cut BEHIND the forelegs in order to include enough of the brisket for a full shoulder mount. It is best to have the whole front half minus the feet. It is not necessary to clean the skull. The top of the skull with horns or antlers is all that is needed. Merely saw off the top of the skull through the center of eyes after skinning is completed.

SALTING
Remove all flesh and fat from the hide, salt well - rub salt into scalp - and roll up overnight; then turn scalp flesh side out, resalt, stretch, and semi-dry in shade; when all liquid has drained, roll up for shipping flesh side out. Do not let skins dry in folds, as hair will slip. Fine dairy or table salt is best. Ship as soon as possible
**Six (6) pounds of salt are needed for the average deer hide
**Eighteen (18) pounds of salt are needed for elk skins and scalps

SKINNING FOR LIFE-SIZE MOUNT
Cut the skin open by a clean, straight cut in the middle line of the under surface of the body. Split the legs open through the center of the hairline down each of the legs. The incision of the front legs should meet the belly cut in the center of brisket. Rear should meet 3" below anus. Always cut around genitals - NEVER through them. Always make a clean even cut-- with the grain of the hair and never against it.

Leave scalps, hooves, and paws attached to the hide. Take measurements and photographs of the body. Clean hide of flesh and salt heavily. For skinning head, and care of hide see instructions above.

If you are hunting overseas, your trophies are generally stored in warehouses and shipped months after your return. To ensure your horns and hide are identified properly, our company supplies waterproof, laminated shipping tags for our clients at no charge, which you should attach yourself, one to the horns or antlers and one to the skin.

Don't skin small mammals like squirrels, minks, marmots, etc. Please freeze these animals whole and ship frozen as soon as possible.

Read the special instructions on How to Skin a Bear.