The first hours after the harvest matter most.

Q: Should I contact Stehling's before my hunt?

Yes—especially if you're traveling or planning an international hunt. We can help with field care steps, shipping logistics, and (when applicable) USDA import requirements.

Field-tested guidance on caping, hide care, transport, and pre-hunt planning. The difference between a heritage mount and a salvage job is almost always made before the trophy ever reaches the studio.

Heat, moisture, and bacteria can damage a hide in a matter of hours. The articles and answers below cover what to do in the field — and what to do before you ever leave home.

Field Guides

Articles from the bench

The Ultimate Turkey Field Care Guide

From the moment of the kill to the truck — a step-by-step walkthrough every spring and fall hunter should know.

Read guide →

Wisconsin Turkey Period C Tactics

How to punch your tag when the birds go quiet — and how to handle the bird once you do.

Read guide →

From Intake to Pickup

How a mount moves through a professional shop — starting with what you bring through the door.

Read guide →

Pre-Hunt Planning

The conversation worth having before you book the flight, draw the tag, or pull the trigger.

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Youth Hunt Field Care

Walking a first-time hunter through the moments after the shot — and protecting the trophy that comes with it.

Read guide →

All Pre-Hunt FAQs

Every pre-hunt and field-care question we get — in one searchable list, with cross-links to the full answers.

Browse FAQs →

FirstFew hours after the harvest matter most

Common Questions

Pre-hunt & field care, answered

Why does pre-hunt planning matter for taxidermy?

The first few hours after harvest matter most. Pre-hunt planning helps you avoid field mistakes, understand preservation steps, and keep your trophy in top condition for a great final result. Read more.

Should I contact Stehling’s before my hunt?

Yes — especially if you’re traveling or planning an international hunt. We can help with field care steps, shipping logistics, and (when applicable) USDA import requirements. Read more.

Can improper field care ruin my mount?

Yes. Heat, moisture, and bacteria can damage hides quickly. Keeping your trophy cool and dry (and freezing to your taxidermist’s specifications when needed) protects your investment. More field-care notes.

How should I handle field dressing and caping?

Field dressing and caping should be done carefully to preserve hide and hair quality. If you must cape in the field, contact us ahead of time for preferred instructions — especially around eyes, nose, ears, and lips. Get caping guidance.

What should I do with the bird or animal in the first 24 hours?

Cool the carcass quickly, keep it out of direct sunlight, and avoid letting hair, feathers, or skin sit in moisture. For most species, the goal is to get the trophy properly frozen or delivered to us within 24–48 hours. See the field-care walkthrough.

Plan with us

Got a hunt on the calendar?

Tell us about it before you go. A ten-minute phone call can save a lifetime trophy — and we’d rather walk you through it now than salvage it later.

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