HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Although it’s difficult, you can skin an animal by yourself. The most tedious part of saving the head for mounting is the careful skinning work you must do around the eyes, ears, antler bases, mouth and the nose—so, everything.  You’ll need lots of time and several very sharp knives of different sizes to do this. Leave the antlers attached to the skull and remember, once skinned off the carcass, the cape should be kept cool until it can be delivered to the taxidermist.

Most hunters prefer to pay a taxidermist to do the skinning for their mounts. It does take some skill to get right. If you decide to go DIY, be confident—don’t risk botching an impressive buck and ending up with a Frankenstein-deer.

Wise Words: Full Package Delivery

Take more, not less, to the taxidermist. You should also take some pictures and measurements of the head before you skin the animal. The taxidermist will want the info to make a proper form of the animal.