When we contact the client via email to confirm that the trophies have been collected, we ask the client to confirm the mounting instructions that we have received on the Taxidermy Register or to provide us with the correct mounting instructions. We need to know the instructions for the trophies and what types of mounts the client would prefer, e.g. pedestal mount, half mount or shoulder mount. We welcome all types of input from the client and encourage as many pictures as possible should there be a different type of mount or action involved in the mount. All trophies that are to be mounted are written on a job card which is issued to our very capable mounters.

Each trophy has a foam mannequin moulded to suit the action required for each trophy as prescribed by the client. This mannequin is then shaped and positioned to fit the skin of the trophy.

Working from the job card, the skulls and horns are collected from the skull storeroom and checked against the original pictures taken upon receipt of the trophies. Once confirmed, the skulls are then cut to fit onto the foam mannequins that have been made for each trophy, leaving the horn caps, eye sockets and nose bone intact. This section of the skull is them moulded into place onto the mannequin, ready for mounting. Once in place, an email will be sent to the client to confirm whether the direction is correct.

The skins are removed from the skin storeroom and placed in a salt water solution to soften the skin, where after it is thoroughly washed with clean water. The excess water is then allowed to dry off before the skin is placed in a formic acid solution to loosen and remove any sinew and meat residue left on the skin. The formic acid also removes the natural oils from the skin and halts the hair slipping process, should this occur. The skin is then removed from the formic acid and shaved to the correct thickness for mounting—all residual sinew and meat is then removed. The eyes, lips and ears are then split and any areas that have holes or cuts are stitched to create an even surface. The skin is then placed in a solution of Lutan F, which tans the skin and reintroduces synthetic oils, which keep the skin supple for mounting and extend the life span of the trophy.
The skin is then fitted to the mould to ensure that it is not overstretched and that the mould is adjusted accordingly. Clay is used to form the smaller detail on the face area and placement of the glass replica eyes. Once everything is in position, the trophy is checked by management and sent for drying. After the drying process has been completed, the trophies are sent to our trophy artists for the finishing touches and “makeup”. Here the finer details are added to bring the trophies to life. Once all the trophies in a client’s shipment are completed, pictures are taken and sent to the client to confirm that crating will be taking place. The trophies are then crated by our skilled team and safely secured to ensure that they do not move.

We build our own plywood crates at our facility and are able to custom build our client’s crate to minimize space wastage. Trophies are crated and safely secured by a skilled team to ensure that the trophies do not move. Trophies are secured to the sides of the crates with tamperproof screws and supported by struts to minimize movement while in transit. The struts are covered with bubble wrap to ensure that the trophies do not rub against the struts and cause damage. Crates are treated with Naphthalene marbles to deter any pests. Each crate is sealed with tamper proof security seals that are marked on the packing list to ensure that clients receive their trophies in perfect condition. Should the seals be changed at anytime by the export company due to an inspection, new seals will be placed on the crate and a note thereof will be made in the paperwork with the export company.