SPORTSMEN'S TROPHIES.
As our game becomes scarcer I believe there will be more demand for the
preservation of the sportsman's trophies than in the days of abundance
now past. Then only a phenomenally rare or large or freakish example
seemed to warrant the trouble and expense of putting in the
taxidermist's hands. Now the souvenir of a good day's sport or a
memorable outing is deemed well worth keeping.
Heads, horns, skins for floor or hangings and fish and game panels for
the dining room walls have always been in high favor with sportsmen. So
also are unique articles of use and decoration for the home. The
naturalist sportsman whose trips are, from force of circumstances, only
local can in a short time make a splendid showing by preserving such
good types of game as he may procure.
In mounting birds as hanging dead game it is well to hang the specimen
before skinning, in the position wished and if possible sketch it so, at
least impress its appearance well on the memory. The main points of the
process are the same as for ordinary mounting. There are, however, a few
exceptions which I will mention.
If one side of a bird is defective in any way it may be mounted with
such side next the panel, so often, if the specimen is to have the
breast or under side displayed, the opening cut is made down the back or
on one side. If a pair of birds of the same kind are used on one panel
pose them to display the back of one and breast of the other.
It will usually be necessary to wire the wings of birds for game panels
so as to adjust them properly, though they are sometimes fixed from the
outside by embedding sharpened wires in the body.
Ducks of all kinds are especially suitable for panels in that their
plumage being stiffer and more durable does not make casing in glass so
necessary, though most of our game birds can, by proper treatment,
dispense with such protection. One of the most effective duck trophies
which I ever saw was a string of three or four small duck rising in
flight apparently from one corner of a room, to the ceiling in the
center of the side wall.
[Illustration: FLYING DUCK. (For wall.)]
For this effect they are mounted with wings spread and raised, head and
legs outstretched. They are hung on nails in the wall in a regularly
ascending line, the point of suspension being a wire loop under the wing
on the side next the wall. Single birds look well in the same position.
Rabbits and squirrels are also mounted as hanging dead game either in
combination with some of the small game birds or separately. In
selecting panels for this class of work use those finished in a
contrasting color to the general tone of the specimens, a dark bird on a
lighter panel and the reverse. On all panels and shields smooth rounded,
beveled or Ogee edges are advisable. Small headings and intricate
moulding are dust catchers. Wild cats, 'coons, foxes, coyotes, even
bears and pumas gathered by night hunters and dog enthusiasts are
usually best made up as more or less elaborate rugs. As wall and couch
or chair hangings these have no trimming and often no lining except
under the head. If for any reason the skins are unfit for this the heads
can generally be used as wall mounts.
[Illustration: TIMBER WOLF RUG, FULL HEAD.]
[Illustration: DEER HEAD HALL RACK.]
Room may be found for a few of the smaller specimens mounted whole but
in the average home they are the bugbear of the housekeeper, early
exiled to the attic. A friend of mine has his collection of small game
birds, occupying the plate rail of his dining room, well out of the way
and admired by many. Well mounted heads and antlers are suitable almost
anywhere that they do not seem crowded. The famous East Room of the
White House has some handsome examples. To make them answer a useful
purpose they are made into hall racks, alone and in combination with
feet. The makers of mounts offer a number of very attractive designs in
the well-finished hard woods, some provided with plate glass mirrors.
Fish make beautiful trophies which lend themselves particularly to wall
decoration on panels or as framed medallions. How often the mounted
trophy would save the fisherman's reputation for veracity. Perhaps their
rapidly perishable nature accounts for the rarity of fish trophies. In
conclusion I would say if you are a sportsman try the preliminary or
entire preservation of some of your trophies, at least get them to the
taxidermist in as good order as you can. Remember no matter how fine a
specimen may have been, if allowed to be mutilated, become putrid or
damaged, it can never be entirely repaired.
The taxidermist must recall that exigencies of the field are responsible
for neglect of many details and a nature loving sportsman is a friend
worth having, who will share the contents of a seldom overfull purse
with you in return for your best efforts.