At Split Second Taxidermy, we believe that every animal, whether it's a valued trophy or just a good memory in the field, deserves to be remembered and celebrated. That’s why we take great care in our custom taxidermy process, ensuring that each piece we create is the best one available. As your dedicated taxidermist near Mason City, we understand the significance of every mount to our customers and invest our heart into your piece as if it were our own. If you’re searching for a taxidermist we are committed to delivering exceptional results that honor your cherished memories.
For shoulder mounts, you can remove the cape from the animal while leaving the head attached. To ensure ample room for the form you have chosen, we recommend not cutting too far forward. There are many examples online to guide you. If you plan to shoulder mount a animal, avoid dragging it over rough surfaces to prevent significant, irreplaceable rubbing. Instead, consider using a sled or caping it in the field, taking all necessary precautions to keep dirt and debris off the hide.
For birds ranging from quail to turkeys, it’s crucial to reach them quickly to minimize feather damage and loss. If you’re using a dog for hunting, make sure to prevent it from accessing the birds. After harvesting, be careful not to let the feathers get ruffed up or broken. Place the bird in a ziplock bag if it fits, or for larger birds, double bag them in a garbage or contractor bag. Freeze them promptly or get ahold of me for a drop off and to discuss your mount.
there will be a fee for tanned hides if we need to remove the hide from the animal ourselves before starting the tanning process. otherwise just bring in the raw hide and we will take it from there.
At present, we are not taking on any fish work, we are excited to shift our focus to that soon!
All European mounts come with a standard hanger. There are custom options as well.
A quality mount all begins in the hands of the harvester. While we can do a lot it all starts with proper field care. Ensure that your trophy is cooled and frozen as soon as possible, or brought to us so we can handle it efficiently.
Field care: Our commitment is to provide the best possible mount for you to enjoy forever and that all starts in the field. keep all animals as dry and clean as possible.
Big game and full body mounts: To preserve your trophy successfully, keep the animal as dry as possible and minimize dirt and debris on the hide and flesh side. It's crucial to freeze the animal, cape, or head right after harvesting to prevent hair slippage. Avoid dragging the animal whenever possible, as this can cause hair to singe and pull, making it hard to match or replace
Birds: For both upland birds and waterfowl, keeping them dry is essential, so treat them with care to minimize feather loss or breakage. After your hunt, place your bird in a zip lock freezer bag, removing as much air as possible, or double-bag based on size and freeze. Be cautious not to vacuum seal or use panty hose, as this can permanently damage the feathers.
A trophy or memory is something you'll admire on your wall forever, and everything starts in the field. Therefore, we encourage you to read the statements above to ensure you receive a quality mount that you can cherish for years to come. Remember, quality begins in the field, and we can provide the best work that we can if a trophy was neglected. If you have any questions or concerns just reach out and we can discuss all possible options.
Contact us for inquiries or to drop off your animal. If you're in search of a dependable taxidermist near Mason City, we're ready to assist. For anyone looking for a taxidermist in northern Iowa, don't hesitate to reach out today!
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