Field Care

         " The quality of your trophy begins with you in the field."

             Head and neck shots should always be avoided whenever possible. Shooting a charging black bear is  one     
                       thing, but shooting a blacktail in the face is another. Dragging and 4 wheelers are  very detrimental on big game mounts 
                       in the shoulder areas as it removes top hair and hair completely from the shoulders.

             Birds should be shot with the smallest shot particles possible for the situation and species. Birds should be frozen
                       whole in plastic bags with sufficient protection for long tail feathers by carding them if necessary. If you wrap each foot in
                       a small wet paper towel and then wrap them with plastic wrap, they will stay perfect and in excellent condition for at least 
                      10-12 months. For wild turkey heads, wrap the head in a small wet wash cloth then in a small bag over the head, it will
                       prevent freezer burn and moisture loss in the snood and wattles. Also, don't forget to do the feet.

             Wrapping: Never put a warm animal or skin in plastic bags as this will cause rapid bacterial growth resulting in
                       loss of hair or feathers. Burlap bags are excellent in the field if you are in the high country and are away from a locker or
                       meat processor. It will allow air to circulate around your animal, let fluid escape and it will stay cool as well as keeping
                       the flies off your trophy. North American shipments of salted, dried hide should be shipped in woven, burlap bags and
                       put in boxes if necessary to allow fresh air in to help prevent spoilage.

             Freezing: When putting these animals in the freezer, you should place the animal on a plastic bag so they won't
                       stick to the freezer. After the animal is frozen, then the animal can be placed into a bag and closed, but not before. Fish
                       should be kept alive or on ice (not in ice water) until they can be wrapped in a wet towel or cloth and frozen in a
                       plastic bag.

             Shipping large animals: All large mammals should be professionally prepared for any shipping if
                       necessary. Even with the outfitted hunt, the trophies are yours and you should take personal interest in knowing that the
                       animals are properly skinned, fleshed, salted with the lips, nose cartilage, tail split and ears turned properly.
                  Undecided:  If you are undecided before your hunt on what type of mount you want, have your trophy skinned for life-
                       size mount. The skin can be cut later for a shoulder mount with the back skins used for rugs, buck or pillows, etc.

                       All animals should be tagged with hunter's name, required from state, providence and or country they were harvested.
                       Please don't hesitate to call before your next hunt. It is always a good idea to be prepared. The next animal may be the
                       trophy hunt of your life time and it all starts in the field. Good luck and shoot straight.

             !!Call before you ship!!

             Shipping Frozen Items:  Ship frozen items Monday next day air or second day air depending on 
                       temperature.

                       Ship parcel post, UPS, DHL, or Fed-Ex.

                       Newspaper and paper towels have good absorbency properties. Use these items to wrap around frozen items and put
                       into plastic bags to prevent leakage. Tag each item with hunter's name, address, telephone number - inside and out in
                       packing list. These items can be placed in an inexpensive cooler. Seal all edges with duct tape. This will help prevent
                       leakage, newspaper to fill empty voids in cooler. Once packed cover cooler with card board box for labeling and
                       shipping purposes.

             SHIPPING BIRDS FROM OUTSIDE US

                       If shipping turkeys from Mexico, contact us before shipping. Notify us before you ship so we will be expecting your
                       shipment.

             SHIPPING FROM ALASKA: Trophies need immediate attention and you should consider having a
                       taxidermy studio flesh and salt your valuable trophies so it can be shipped to us with no need of being frozen. You may
                       have your outfitter in Alaska ship them to D&C along with instruction. 
                       We recommend using D&C Expediters for a reputable facility to flesh and salt your trophies.
                       These trophies will be shipped to my tannery from D&C and then shipped directly to me for mounting,etc.
                       We can provide free tags for this service if hunting in Alaska. Remember a 50% deposit is required on all work before
                       it is started.

                       D&C Expediters :                                               My Tannery :
                      1200 East 76th Avenue, Suite 1228                Glacier Fur Dressing, inc.
                      Anchorage, AK 99518-3218                             2185 Third Avenue East  
                      Phone: 907-344-9719                                        Kalispell, MT 59901
                      Cell: 907-441-2903                                             Phone: (406) 755 8121
                      Fax: 907-344-9068
                      E-mail: tom@dandcexpediters.com
                      Shean Hardesty