Field Care of Mountain Sheep

1. Field Care of Mountain Sheep

2. Avoid dragging your sheep • If the sheep must be moved, roll it onto a heavy tarp before dragging • Lifting the sheep is ideal

3. Begin skinning as soon as possible • Delaying skinning increases the chance of spoilage

4. Skinning

5. Remove as much meat from the hide as you can and completely open the neck • “Tubed” necks and excess meat promote spoilage

6. Leave skinning of head and hooves to your taxidermist

7. Ask your taxidermist how best to cut the cape for the mount you want

8. Care of the Cape

9. Place the skinned cape hair down in the shade to cool Direct sunlight can destroy the cape

10. Transport the cape in a burlap sack or breathable deer bag Bagging the cape protects hair from packing ropes and straps

11. Plastic bags trap heat and moisture, and should not be used in the field

12. At camp, clean any blood off the hair and horns with water

13. Rub a non-iodized salt onto the flesh side of the cape Canning salt works well, and is available at most grocery stores

14. Hang the cape in a cool place to drip After about 2 hours, re-salt • Avoid over drying the cape to the point of stiffness

15. Fold up the salted cape and put on ice if available

16. If you will be freezing the cape, place it in a plastic bag first • This prevents hair from sticking to the inside of the freezer

17. Transport the cape to your taxidermist as soon as possible Pack it on ice for the trip

18. Taxidermy Mounts Shoulder European Wall Pedestal Pedestal Life-size Half Life-size