From start to finish, how you take care of your trophy will be a large portion of how well it will turn out on the wall. 

1. Freeze it immediately (caped head of deer/whole body of bird or mammal)  to prevent bacterial destruction (Mule deer are really bad about hair slippage because it is so thick and especially if moisture gets on it) see Information page on how to cape 

DO NOT CUT UP THE FRONT OR BACK OF NECK

2. The more perfect condition your trophy (no blood or damage) the better the mount. (A bird in perfect shape verses one that has blood stain/missing feathers)

3. Shoulder mounts- LEAVE AT LEAST 3 INCHES OF NECK MEAT for proper form measurement (you want the original sized neck measurement, anything larger will make the rack look smaller)

4. If you have someone else fully cape (remove skin from entire skull) please make sure you or they TAKE MEASUREMENTS (eye to nose/around base of neck (meat only)/and three inches down on neck (meat only)) see my Information page on where to take measurements

5. Birds and full body mounts- DO NOT GUT, leave whole, place in plastic bag, birds-try and keep feathers from bending, they will stay bent in the direction there is pressure applied)