Field Care Instructions for Small Game Taxidermy: How to Protect Your Trophy From the Moment of Harvest

Small game hunting offers some of the most rewarding experiences in the field—fast action, challenging shots, and a deep connection to the outdoors. But when it comes to turning that moment of success into a lifelike, high-quality taxidermy mount, what you do immediately after the harvest matters just as much as the skill and craftsmanship of your taxidermist.

Small game hides are thin, delicate, and prone to slippage, which means improper care can permanently damage the trophy long before it reaches the taxidermy shop. The good news? With just a few simple steps, you can preserve your animal in perfect condition and ensure the finished mount turns out exactly the way you envisioned.

Below are expert, step-by-step field care instructions based on over 50 years of professional small game and predator taxidermy experience.

Why Proper Field Care Matters for Small Game

Unlike big game animals, most small game species have:

Thin, fragile hides
Fine facial features
Small ears and delicate tails
Hair that slips quickly in warm conditions
High risk of bacterial growth shortly after death

This means that even a short period of improper handling—such as leaving the animal in a warm truck box or dragging it across rough terrain—can cause irreversible damage.

Proper care will:

Ensure optimal fur quality
Prevent hair loss and slippage
Preserve delicate facial details
Maintain natural color and texture
Improve the final mount’s realism and durability

Whether you’re harvesting a fox, bobcat, squirrel, raccoon, or exotic small game species, following these guidelines will dramatically improve your trophy’s outcome.

How to Properly Care for Small Game After Harvest

A Complete Guide for Hunters Who Want the Best Taxidermy Results

1. Avoid Gutting or Skinning the Animal

For small game, do not gut, skin, or prep the animal in the field unless you are not only experienced but specifically trained in how to handle delicate hides.

Small game—and especially predators—have extremely thin skin around the:

Lips
Eyes
Ears
Nose
Belly

One wrong cut can ruin a mount or require extensive repair work. Leaving the animal whole ensures the taxidermist can make precise incisions and preserve the hide without unnecessary damage.

When in doubt: don’t cut. Freeze it whole.

2. Cool the Animal Immediately to Prevent Hair Slippage

Heat is the number one enemy of small game hides. Even on cool days, the body retains warmth that leads to bacterial growth—and once hair starts slipping, it cannot be reversed.

Cooling Tips

Keep the animal out of direct sunlight
Do not leave it in a warm vehicle or truck bed
If possible, hang the animal or place it in shade to allow airflow
During warmer months, cool the animal within minutes, not hours

If you are trapping or predator calling in early season conditions, where temperatures are warm, cooling becomes even more critical.

3. Freeze the Animal as Soon as You Get Home

Once you’re home—or back at your lodge—freeze the animal immediately.

How to Freeze Properly

Place the animal in a sealed plastic bag to prevent freezer burn
Press as much air out of the bag as possible
For predators or larger small game, you can double-bag for added protection
Lay the animal in a natural position so ears or tails do not bend unnaturally

Freezer burn dries out delicate areas such as lips, ears, and tails, making the taxidermist’s work more difficult and affecting the final mount quality.

If you cannot freeze the animal right away (such as on a multi-day hunt), pack it in ice—not water—and keep it cool until freezing is possible.

4. Protect the Fur to Ensure a Beautiful, Lifelike Mount

The quality of the fur dramatically impacts the final appearance of any small game mount. Handling the animal carefully from the start helps maintain its natural beauty.

Fur Protection Guidelines

Never drag the animal
Avoid allowing blood to soak into the fur
Dab (don’t rub) any excess blood with a clean cloth
Keep predators’ mouths shut to prevent tooth damage
Never toss animals into piles or cramped containers
Keep them away from dirt, leaves, and debris

Predators like fox and bobcat have exceptionally soft fur that can mat easily. Clean, dry, undamaged fur produces the most lifelike and impressive mounts.

5. Handle the Tail, Ears, and Other Delicate Areas With Extra Care

The tail and ears of many small game species are extremely thin and prone to slipping if not preserved properly. These areas can begin deteriorating within a very short time, especially during warm weather.

Key Points

Freeze quickly
Keep animals cool during transport
Do not bend or twist the tail
Avoid compressing the ears
Never pull or tug on extremities

Proper handling ensures your taxidermist can recreate natural expressions and crisp detail in the final mount.

6. Contact Us With Any Questions — We’re Here to Help

If you ever have questions about how to handle small game in the field, we are always happy to walk you through the process. A quick call can prevent costly mistakes and ensure you get the best possible mount.

Call or text anytime:
920-723-1224

Whether you’re a seasoned small game hunter or harvesting your first fox or squirrel, proper care makes all the difference—and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Final Thoughts: Proper Field Care = A Trophy You’ll Be Proud To Display

Small game taxidermy is an art form that requires experience, precision, and incredibly careful hide handling. As taxidermists with over 50 years of combined expertise, we can do amazing work—but only if the animal is taken care of properly from the moment it hits the ground.

By following these simple but critical steps: