Care of a Moose Head Trophy

Cut Properly

• While many newbies to trophy preparation are inclined to cut the moose off at the head, the proper procedure is to make the cut behind the front legs. This gives the taxidermist enough material to work with, with minimal damage to the head and shoulders--the part of the carcass that will serve as the trophy.

  The proper procedure is to cut up the back of the neck to the base of the skull, and make that cut meet with the cut made behind the shoulders and front legs, to form a T.

Begin Skinning

• Begin to skin the carcass once you have the T incision made. Cut around the front legs just above the knee, and begin to pull the hide toward you (at the head) as you cut. Take care to cut and pull carefully so as not to tear the hide or punch holes in it, especially in the delicate skin around the legs. Continue skinning until you reach the back of the skull.

Take Measurements

• Use a tape measure to measure the head around the neck just behind the ears and beneath the jaw. Make another measurement 3 inches below and parallel to the first one. When it comes time to separate the head, this is where you will make your cuts.

Separate Your Trophy

• After measuring down and completing your cuts, separate the skull from the neck and store it in a large plastic bag. Don't salt it, as this can make it difficult to freeze your trophy head if you need to preserve it.

Deliver to the Taxidermist

• It is best to leave the rest to a taxidermist, a person who's primary job is to stuff and preserve things like moose trophies. There are bound to be more in your community than you think, and a simple look through your local telephone book is bound to yield a bounty of options.