How to Preserve Your Trophy for Years to Come

Proper care is essential to keep your mount looking lifelike for many years. Even the most meticulously crafted trophy can degrade over time if not maintained correctly. Here’s a guide to help you take the best possible care of your hunting trophies.

1. Placement of the Mount

❌ Common mistake: Exposure to direct sunlight, high humidity, or proximity to heat sources can damage your mount.
✅ Best practice: Place the mount away from direct sunlight and radiators or fireplaces. Ideal conditions include a dry, stable room temperature between 18–22 °C (64–72 °F) and relative humidity below 50%.

📌 Tip: If the trophy is displayed in a hunting lodge with a fireplace, make sure the room is properly ventilated to avoid excessive dryness or moisture condensation.

2. Regular Dusting and Cleaning

❌ Common mistake: Using wet cloth or household cleaning products.
✅ Best practice: Use a soft brush or gently blow off dust with cool air (e.g., from a hairdryer on cold setting). Clean glass eyes or noses with a lightly dampened cotton swab.

📌 Tip: Avoid common dust sprays or polishers – they may stain or damage the mount.

3. Pest Prevention

❌ Common mistake: Insects like moths or dermestid beetles can cause irreversible damage.
✅ Best practice: Regularly inspect your mount and treat it with a pest-repellent product at least once a year. If you notice small holes or hair loss, isolate the piece and use taxidermy-specific insect control products immediately.

📌 Tip: Place natural repellents like lavender sachets, cedar wood, or cloves near the mount to deter pests.

4. Cleaning Eyes and Nose

❌ Common mistake: Smudging or dullness over time.
✅ Best practice: Wipe glass eyes occasionally with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Use a thin layer of mineral oil or a taxidermy-specific product to restore shine to the nose.

📌 Tip: Don’t use household polishes – they can cause unwanted shine or permanent damage.

5. Proper Handling and Transport

❌ Common mistake: Rough handling or poor packing can result in broken parts.
✅ Best practice: Always lift the mount by solid parts like the skull, base, or frame, and avoid touching the fur or feathers unnecessarily. For transport, wrap the mount in soft materials to protect delicate areas like antlers or open mouths.

📌 Tip: For long-distance transport, secure the mount in a wooden crate or a dedicated shipping box.

6. Restoration and Professional Maintenance

❌ Common mistake: Ignoring small damages like loose fur, discoloration, or detached parts.
✅ Best practice: If you notice signs of wear, fading, or structural issues, consult a professional taxidermist. Minor repairs or touch-ups can prevent long-term damage and restore your mount’s original appearance.

📌 Tip: When in doubt, ask an expert before applying any cleaning or restoration product.

In Summary
A well-maintained mount is more than a keepsake – it’s a lasting centerpiece of any hunting interior. With regular care, proper placement, and preventative maintenance, your trophy will remain in excellent condition and preserve the memory of a special hunt for decades.