Birds: DO NOT WRING THE NECK!! Leave the bird whole and do not skin or remove the internal organs. Wipe off any blood and place the bird in panty hose to keep the feathers flat against the body. Take to your taxidermist as soon as possible or place in plastic bag and freeze.
Small Mammals: Leave the animal whole and do not skin or remove the internal organs. Keep cool and get it to the taxidermist as soon as possible or place in a plastic bag, remove air and freeze.
Fish: DO NOT GUT THE FISH!! Leave whole and take a picture if possible to help with painting. Take a very wet towel and put it around the fish and then in a plastic bag, making sure all the fins are flat against the body, and get to the taxidermist as soon as possible or freeze.
Big Game: DO NOT CUT THE THROAT!! Get the animal to your taxidermist as soon as possible, if not possible then follow these steps. For a shoulder mount leave as much hide as necessary for the mount, and remember more is better. Cut the skin around the body well behinde the front legs about mid rib. Then cut around each knee joint. Then join those cuts up the back of the legs and skin the hide forward to the base of the head. Cut the head off leaving the hide attached, then take to your taxidermist.
