Special Offers

Northern Natural History
Naturalists and taxidermists

Sporting Raffle 2000

Great prizes on offer for this sporting season

Prizes available for the 2000 season

~ Evening duck flight for up to four guns on Thrumster Estates, Caithness, January 2001 or 2002 - Donated by Thrumster Estates Ltd.

Thrumster Estate Ltd. Walked-up shooting, falconry and fishing holidays. Holiday cottages with sporting packages. Lodge accommodation for sporting guests. E-mail Web site

 

~ Two days wild brown trout fishing, for two people including boat hire on lochs Watten, St. John's or Toftingall, Caithness 2001 season 1st May - 30th September - Donated by Hugo Ross, Fishing Tackle Specialists.

Hugo Ross Fishing tackle specialists. Tel: 01955 604200

 

~ 70cl Bottle of 14 year old Highland Single Distillery Malt Scotch Whisky - Donated by Clynelish Distillery Brora.

Clynelish Distillery Distiller of Malt Whisky. The visitor centre offers a guided tour to see the art of whisky making. Tel: 01408 641474 E-MAIL Web site http://www.highlandescape.com

 

~ Seven of the finest quality pairs of Hunters of Brora shooting hosiery - Donated by Hunters of Brora Ltd.

Hunters of Brora Ltd Manufacturers of world class natural fabrics & yarns. Retail & visitor attraction, open all year. Specialists in tweeds & woollens. Tel: 01408 623500 E-MAIL

 

~ 4.5" Superbly detailed sporting figure (clay pigeon shooting), modelled in antique effect pewter set on a wooden plinth - Donated by Country Images. Lairg.

Country Images A wide range of promotional & presentational laser engraved & printed items. Competitively priced, thoughtfully packaged to suit all occasions.Tel: 01408 641273 Web site http://www.countryimages.co.uk

 

FREE Taxidermy Booklet

"A Guide for Sportsmen on the Fieldcare and Preparation of Trophies and Specimens for Taxidermy"   Available FREE in Britain and Europe only. By e-mail request while copies last. (Remember to supply a postal address so this publication can be forwarded to you)

Extracts from: "A Guide for Sportsmen on the Field care and Preparation of Trophies and specimens for Taxidermy" Privately printed by Northern Natural History Copyright © NNH 1998

Trophy caping & field care

A cut is first made behind the shoulder of the animal straight around the body, and between the front legs (diagram 1) so that plenty of skin is obtained. Proceed then to cut along the back of the neck to a point behind the ears (diagram 2) The skin can then be carefully peeled/fisted off up to the base of the skull, where the head is severed from the neck.

The head and neck skin (cape) should then be left for a short while to drain of blood if need be. Note that an animal acquired for this type of trophy mount should never be bled from the throat, and that the skin should never be cut along it's front surface. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT HOW MUCH SKIN TO TAKE, ALWAYS TAKE MORE THAN YOU FEEL NECESSARY - IT CAN ALWAYS BE CUT SHORTER.
Once drained of excess fluids, the trophy and attached cape should be placed in a hessian or cloth sack for transportation to ourselves. Never place a fresh cape into a plastic sack, as this can cause it to 'sweat', which would aid bacterial growth, rendering the skin practically useless and requiring a replacement skin.
If the trophy cannot be delivered for a day or two, it is better to freeze it. If this is to be done, place the trophy and cape in a plastic sack for freezing, making sure that all extremities such as ears are covered to prevent freezer burn.

Once a good specimen is selected, a small plug of cotton wool or tissue paper can be placed inside the mouth to prevent any blood loss. The body should then be wrapped in absorbent material. The specimens are now ready to be frozen. Either place them as they are into a number of plastic bags, each specimen into a separate bag, or place them individually into a ladies stocking and then into plastic.