Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts

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1 Thank you for requesting your FREE report! Read and enjoy, we are here to help you with your trophies. Three Steps to Keep Your Taxidermy Mounts Looking Fresh There is nothing worse than walking into a trophy room and not being able to tell what color the taxidermy mounts should be, or were. They have been neglected for years hung on the wall and forgotten covered by a layer of dust so thick you can't recognize the original colors of such majestic trophies. Or the taxidermy mounts that were hung in a room and no one thought of the effect that the large window would have in fading the mounts. I own a skunk mount that is a tan color due to the sun. The three steps I would strongly recommend to keeping your mounts as fresh as possible are 1. Routine cleaning and maintenance this would include dusting and polishing the eyes and a thorough inspection of the health of the mounts. 2. Keep fading to a minimum would include curtains or blinds, you could also have window film installed to cut the UV rays and the fading effects. If you are building a trophy room keep the windows small and use windows with reduced UV rays. I know of a black bear that was Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts Page 1

2 very nice on the show side, but when you looked at the side facing the window the black bear was a blonde. 3. Temperatures of where you have your mounts hanging should be kept near room temperature without large variables. Taxidermy mounts are leather and if your mounts are stored at extreme temperatures the leather will contract and expand causing cracks and undue wear. Also humidity is very important and should be kept around 45% for the best effect to your mounts. So remember after you start hanging trophies in your room there will be routine maintenance to keep your mounts in their prime condition. Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts Page 2

3 Have you thought about maintaining your taxidermy trophies? Most people don't think about this, mainly because they were never taught the requirements. Taxidermy mounts need proper care to last as long as possible. There are a number of things that would like to harm your mounts; Dirt Light Heat Humidity Bugs Too much attention (petting by family members can cause bald spots) Everything in life needs some maintenance: your car needs the oil changed, your health needs a doctor, your house needs some new paint, your stocks need a broker. Your taxidermy trophies need attention too. There are a number of things you can do to increase the life of your trophies, you should do this at least once a year, and a visual inspection once a month for bugs. Here are the things you should do to take care of your mounts; Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts Page 3

4 1. Keep dusted 2. Clean the eyes 3. Decrease light on the mounts UV rays will fade your trophies 4. Keep the temperature and humidity to proper levels 5. Routine inspection to keep your mounts at their finest Taxidermy mounts deserve proper care to keep them at their finest. The worst thing is to hang them on the wall and then forget them. Taxidermy mounts should be kept as if they were a very fine piece of furniture, or art work. Mounts are made of natural materials that are susceptible to fading, oxidation, shrinking and cracking. As you walk by your mounts keep an eye on them. Next two photos show how bugs can damage your trophies. Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts Page 4

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6 Where Do These Bugs Come From? Taxidermy mounts and bugs many times I am asked, "where do these bugs come from?" Let's discuss that, this is a question that comes up often. They are all over; in nature they are the bugs that turn dead matter into dust. There are over 700 different varieties in the world including moths and beetles that lay eggs on taxidermy mounts and the larvae stage does the damage to your trophies. The larvae stage chews the hair off at the roots causing bald spots and streaks in your taxidermy mounts. These are the same pest that get into your pantry in stored flour, cereal, and crackers. They will also eat on your wool coats and furs, and you may be raising your own colony in your pet food. If you store large amounts of pet food or bird seed in a container always empty the container before adding the next bag. Your taxidermy mounts are often ignored and the damage is not found until it is too late. This is why we highly recommend preventative measures and bug proofing your taxidermy trophies. Just like routine maintenance on your car, your trophies require routine maintenance. This is what we recommend! See next page. Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts Page 6

7 We have the answer for you... If your taxidermy mounts have bugs, and you are seeing some signs of damage here is your answer. Or you want to prevent the possibility of bug damage. First the problem that you have, or may have is insects that destroy the hide, hair, and horns on taxidermy mounts and tanned skins. This problem cannot be ignored or you could lose these pieces completely. Symptoms to this problem will be hair loss, sawdust like dirt around the horns, hoofs, feet, and on the floor or furniture under your taxidermy mounts. You may even find what looks like little rice crispies on your trophy mounts, these are the shell of the bugs as they shed them to grow. Reason that the bugs are now more of an issue tanneries are no longer using arsenic, or anything else with residual protection. Now your mounts have no protection against these hungry and destructive insects. Your taxidermist has no control over them, neither do exterminating companies know Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts Page 7

8 what to do with taxidermy mounts and bugs. Every year thousands of trophy mounts are needlessly destroyed by bugs. We have the Answer there is a solution to this problem with taxidermy mounts and bugs. Our company Trophy DOC, has over 30 years[since 1982] in the taxidermy trade and has been treating trophy mounts since We treat each mount individually to provide protection to each of your trophy mounts. Each mount is unique with memories that can t be replaced. We treat each mount with the respect it deserves and our process is safe when dry to pets and people. Our process does not affect the tanned skin and will kill and protect your taxidermy mount from bugs. Additional restoration is available if your mounts have cracks or flaws that you would like fixed. Trophy DOC is available to help you maintain your mounts, and you should have us take care of your trophy mounts to prevent any future damage by letting us bug proof your mounts. Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts Page 8

9 We travel the lower 48 states to serve our customers, we can be there in a couple days for an extra charge, or if it is not an emergency you can schedule us to come when we are in your area. Right now we cover the country at least three times a year. You can find more information at Feel free to call Forrest at We make House calls. We Guarantee your mounts to look Fresher and More Alive. Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts Page 9

10 We discovered one day that my father s trophies had acquired bugs. They also had a few years of dust accumulation. We contacted Animal Artistry in Reno for help finding someone to treat and clean the mounts, and we were referred to the Trophy Doc. To our surprise and delight, Forest was on a swing through the western states. After a quick phone call, we made arrangements for him to stop by on his travels. In a matter of only a couple hours, he not only treated the mounts for the infestation, but cleaned them as well. He did all of this while the mounts remained on the wall, never having to remove them for the process. What a huge time saver. They have been restored to the same great state they were when they came through the door from the taxidermist. Trophy Doc is definitely on our list for regular visits and cleanings. We highly recommend Forest to anyone with a single mount to the collector with an entire trophy room. Dennis G Reno, Nevada Proper Care of Your Taxidermy Mounts Page 10