Deadheads Taxidermy

11/08/2024

Here’s a step by step guide on how to properly cape out a deer to ensure a perfect shoulder mount.

10/19/2024

10/18/2024

LADIES, don’t let the husbands have all the fun. Get up and get out there!! 🏹🤎

09/22/2024

everyone check out my favorite guys at Spa City Ink. Spacity Inktattoo

09/03/2024

Velvet it extremely delicate but if handled with care and taken to your taxidermist in a timely manner it is very possible to preserve. Velvet is a membrane covered in fur with veins running the length of the antler. During growing stages antlers are high in water and blood content. As the antlers harden and there is less liquid content. Unlike the hair on our head velvet antlers are warm to the touch due to all the activity taking place inside them. As the growing ceases and the blood supply is naturally cut off the animal begins “shedding” or rubbing the velvet off. Late season velvet is extremely susceptible to damage as the animal was getting ready to shed its velvet. Once velvet is stripped, whether the animal started rubbing it off, the hunter pulled it off by mistake, or it was damaged during transport; there is no way to reattach the natural velvet.

REMEMBER:

Hands off! Do not “pet”, drag by the antlers, or allow anything to rub the velvet when packing out or during transport. When securing your antlers to your pack use a soft, thick but breathable material to wrap just below the base of the antlers where they meet the skull then strap or tie rope around that material. Jackets, sweatshirts, and microfiber towels work well. *Remember try not to allow anything touch the velvet!*

Get everything cold and do it quick! Once the animal is harvested, bacteria begins to get to work to start decomposing. The warmer the conditions the faster the bacteria breed. Also flies love to lay their eggs anywhere they can, but are partial to moist warm areas. If you are in a remote setting find shade. Covering antlers with game bags works well to keep flies off; however never use plastic as this is not breathable and you will wind up with a slimy, rotting mess.

The velvet is not salvageable! Due to improper field care, heat, bugs, the wind from the trip home, the pack straps, ratchet straps in the truck, the list goes on. If this happens to you the velvet must be stripped. Taxidermists take extra time to complete this process, pulling the blood out of the antler after the velvet is removed, if the antlers are soft- they need excess drying time and careful antler staining (if even possible).

Always try to contact your taxidermist to see what their preferred methods are and arrange for drop off ASAP!

08/17/2024

texas euro

07/24/2024

if you haven’t voted yet, go to my giveaway post and like your favorite picture in the comments! the most liked comment wins the 20 can RTIC

07/16/2024

don’t miss out on a chance to win this cooler!! go to the original post and comment your picture for a chance to win!!

07/15/2024

beautiful watusi cow that I strung up today. this will be used as the center piece for this customers wedding.

07/12/2024

💥GIVE AWAY TIME💥

Comment your favorite hunting or fishing photo on this post. The picture with the most likes will win this Deadheads Taxidermy RTIC 20 can cooler!

Winner will be announced on August 1st 🥇

07/11/2024

we love a girly touch every now and then 🤷🏻‍♀️💋

06/08/2024

05/27/2024

Remember to take a moment today for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

05/19/2024

my new friend

05/18/2024

safety first…gotta protect them eye balls while working lol