How To Properly Care For Your Trophy Mount

If you’ve been hunting long enough, chances are you already have an animal hanging on your wall at home. Having a trophy mount can feel like a big accomplishment, especially after a very memorable or successful hunt. However, most hunters think that once you hang up your trophy, the work is done. The truth is, you should never stop taking care of your trophy. Here are a few things you can do to keep your trophy mount looking as good as it did the day you brought it home!

One of the best things you can do for your mounted trophy is to make sure it’s in a room protected from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Heat and sunlight can cause the colors of your harvest to fade the color, hair, or hide, and even crack and split your animal over time.

Over time, dust starts to settle on and around your animals. You should be gently dusting your mounts at least once a week if it’s in a high dust area so that they look their best! If your trophy is not in a high dust area then dusting at least twice a month will keep it looking polished! Next time you need to dust, you can try using the brush attachment on your vacuum or you can use a soft, dry rag. Taking a few minutes to dust off your trophy can really make a difference!

Whatever you do, make sure you avoid cleaning your trophy with household cleaners. Most household cleaners have harmful chemicals that leave behind an oily residue. Touching your trophy can also leave behind your natural oils and disrupt natural hair patterns. You can use special taxidermy cleaner like ‘Cowboy Magic Spray’ to help keep the fur clean, neat, and dust-free.

Next time you complete a successful hunting trip, let Tim Knight Taxidermy help you remember your harvest for years to come. Contact us at 919-291-6506 to get started.

SOURCES:

https://outbacktaxidermy.net/caring-for-taxidermy-at-home-tips-from-the-experts/

https://www.gohunt.com/content/skills/other/handle-with-care--cleaning-your-mount

https://kanati.com/articles/how-to-care-for-your-taxidermy-mount/#:~:text=For%20both%20short%20haired%20and,on%20a%20non%2Dheat%20setting .

Don’t Forget These Basic Hunting Safety Tips

Whether you are planning on hunting for the first time, you’re bringing someone for their first time, or you just haven’t been hunting in a while, it’s always good to brush up on the basics of hunter safety and actively practice these hunter safety tips:

1. Always Practice Firearm Safety. 

A good rule of thumb when handling a firearm is to treat it like it is already loaded. Make sure to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and never at somebody, including yourself. You never want to touch the trigger of a firearm until you are ready to shoot. You also need to be familiar with your gun and know how to properly carry, hold, load, and unload it. 

2. Wear Proper Clothing. Clothing is very important when you’re out hunting. Do you know why hunters have to wear orange or reflective clothing? This is so that they are not mistaken for another animal by any other hunters that may be in the area. It is just an extra level of precaution. 

3. Set Up Your Tree Stand Safely. 

Before you even go on your hunting trip, make sure to inspect your gear, including the straps of your tree stand, to see if anything is damaged and needs to be replaced. When you’re ready to get out and set up your tree stand, make sure that you are not alone when installing it. It’s also important to always use a rope to pull up your firearm or bow. 

Are you planning on going hunting anytime soon? Contact us today at 919-291-6506 and let us turn your special harvest into a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Duck Hunting Tips To Remember This Winter

With places like the Pamlico and Albemarle sound, duck hunting in North Carolina this time of year can be extremely rewarding. You can expect to find plenty of Redheads, Bluebills, Pintails, Black Ducks, and more. Here are three things to remember before you go duck hunting this month. 

Don’t Forget Swamps & Marshes. While there are lots of waterfowl around the sound, wood ducks still prefer to be in the swamps, marshes, and any other forested wetlands. Wood ducks typically start their day about half an hour before sunrise and another half an hour after sunset. 

Look For Oaks. Headed to the marsh and swamps to try and duck hunt? You can find species such as Mallards, Black Ducks, and Widgeons in the swamps. Try finding spots near oak trees. During the winter, ducks feed on acorns. 

Find Open or Flowing Water. Late-season duck hunting typically means that ducks are searching for more open water for a better chance of finding food. This time of year is tricky since there is usually a chance for ponds and swamps to freeze over. If the swamps and lakes are frozen, look for small streams or flowing rivers for a better chance of catching your harvest. 

Are you planning on going duck hunting this year? At Tim Knight Taxidermy, we will help you remember your harvest for a lifetime! Contact us today at 919-291-6506 to get started! 

Beginner’s Guide to Hog Hunting In North Carolina

Did you know that in North Carolina, feral hogs are considered an invasive species? This is due to their aggressive and destructive nature. Hunting wild hogs is considered to be a dangerous and risky sport even for seasoned hunters. Here are three things to know when hunting feral hogs. 

1. Poor Eyesight. One thing about feral hogs is that they have poor eyesight. You can take advantage of this by hunting in low light so that you have a better chance at catching one. Feral hogs have an extremely strong sense of hearing and smell so just be sure that you keep a good enough distance. 

2. Hunt During the Early Evening. Because of their poor eyesight, feral hogs are most active during the day which means they start to settle down by the evening. You will have the most luck trying to hunt for them when they are trying to find or eat dinner. 

3. Watch Out for Aggression. If you’re planning on hunting feral hogs, it’s important to remember that they can be extremely aggressive and territorial. If they feel threatened, they have the tendency to charge and use their razor-sharp tusks to defend themselves. 

Being able to bring home a dangerous animal like a feral hog is impressive. Let Knight’s Taxidermy help you admire it for a lifetime. Give us a call today at 919-291-6506 to get started!

SOURCES:

https://www.hogmanoutdoors.com/blog/hog-hunting-tips-for-beginners

It’s Early Duck Hunting Season in NC!

As Thanksgiving approaches, duck-hunting season in North Carolina begins! The Outer Banks and Pamlico Sound are some popular duck hunting destinations with many flocks heading to those areas this time of year. Whether you are trying duck hunting for the first time or you’re trying to hunt to bring back the perfect gift for your loved ones this year, check out these tips for the early duck-hunting season. 

When ducks start to fly South for the winter, they use a lot of energy during this period of migration. Ducks are looking for the most available food source as soon as they land from their long flight. In North Carolina, some of the most popular places to go early-season duck hunting are between the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds near swamps or even around the Outer Banks near shorelines. The reason ducks tend to gravitate to those areas this time of year is that there is plenty of food and resting areas. 

Scouting is one of the most important things that you can do to help you narrow down the perfect duck-hunting spots. We suggest finding an area that a lot of ducks are using and set up a spot there for the next day. Finding their food source will almost always lead you right to the ducks unless they are disturbed. You can also bring a large spread of decoys to help gain the attention of ducks that are farther away. 

Are you planning on going hunting soon? The holidays are around the corner. Don’t forget to bring Tim Knight Taxidermy your harvest so we can transform it into the perfect gift this season to last a lifetime! Call us today at (919) 291-6506 to get started. 

SOURCES:

https://www.outerbanksblue.com/blog/duck-hunting-in-the-outer-banks-of-nc/

Scary Hunting Mistakes To Avoid This Month

Do you have any fun hunting trips planned for this month? Here are four hunting mistakes for you to avoid on your next hunting trip. 

1. Forgetting About Scent Control. Scent control is something you never want to ignore while you’re out hunting. If your clothes smell like food or any other human-like odor, it can ruin your hunting trip by scaring off deer. Whitetail’s noses are extremely sensitive to smell. Make sure to spray yourself with a scent eliminator to get rid of human odors. 

2. Moving Too Fast. Moving too quickly can often ruin your opportunity to hunt, especially while trying to get in or out of your deer stand. Make sure that when you’re out hunting next to take your time and move slowly. Be sure to also walk like a deer by taking a few small, quiet steps at a time. 

3. Lack of Pre-Hunt Preparation. One of the most common mistakes that hunters often make is not doing any preparation before their hunt. Those who are prepared properly usually have more frequent success. Before your next hunting trip, make sure to walk the trail you want to hunt and make sure you have all your gear ready. 

4. Poor Stand Placement. In order to do well on your next hunt, the placement of your tree stand will usually determine a good shot opportunity. Make sure that you aren’t too close to your trails. You also want to make sure it doesn’t sit too low or high. If you haven’t already, experiment with what places could be good spots for your stand this hunting season. 

Make sure to follow these tips to avoid some of these scary hunting mistakes. Are you planning on going hunting this season? Bring us your harvest and let Tim Knight’s Taxidermy bring your trophy back to life for you to admire! Call us today at (919) 291-6506 to get started. 

Get Ready To Hunt Early-Season Deer

Is anyone else eager to go out and hunt? It’s finally time for early-season deer hunting, and we are here to remind you of some things to help you this season! Here are four things you can do to get prepared for early-season deer hunting. 

1. Scout Out Your Land. When you’re planning on early-season deer hunting, knowing the land you’re hunting on is crucial. This will help you find the perfect spots for setting up your trail cameras and tree stands. You can also look at maps and photos on Google of most hunting grounds. This is a great tip for those planning their hunting trip! 

2. Check Near Water Sources. Since the weather is still hot this time of year, early-season deer hunting means that deer are still trying to find ways to cool off. Try setting up trail cameras around lakes and streams. Don’t forget to check for fresh deer tracks near the water! This could let you know if there are any deer nearby.

3. Don’t Forget Your Scent. Knowing all the hotspots that deer like to go to is only part of how to prepare for deer hunting. It’s important that you also behave similarly to deer. Since deer are scared of the smell of humans, it will run them off very quickly. Make sure that you cover your scent with scentless soap or scent-nullifying sprays. 

4. Sweet Treats. Did you know that deer love acorns? There is still time to find plenty of acorns, so take advantage! Want to try and catch a buck during feeding time? Make sure to find trees that have a good amount of acorns nearby and set up around that area.  

Are you planning on going early-season deer hunting? Bring your harvest to Knight’s Taxidermy and let us make you the perfect mount! Contact us today to get started! 

SOURCES

https://community.legendarywhitetails.com/blog/10-essential-early-season-deer-hunting-tips/

https://www.johnstoncc.edu/howellwoods/hunting/index.aspx

Explore The Great Outdoors At Howell Woods

Are you ready to take your hunting and fishing experience to the next level? Howell Woods is a beautiful 2,800-acre natural resource designed to give you incredible outdoor educational experiences. From environmental education to recreation activities like bird watching and fishing, Howell Woods is the perfect place for you and your friends or family to go this summer. 

You can also enjoy their hiking trails, horseback riding, and biking! If you’re big on bird watching then take advantage of the 15 trails through the woods. They are also a feature of the North Carolina Birding Trail!  

Looking to hone your fishing skills this season? Choose from the five ponds of various sizes as well as the Neuse River to enjoy recreational fishing. They also offer canoes for rent so you can glide across the water and fish to your heart's content! 

They even have controlled hunting areas that are best known for the feral pigs, deer, waterfowl, and wild turkeys. This is the perfect opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to enhance their hunting or fishing skills and catch their forever trophy! 

Are you thinking about heading to Howell Woods this season? Bring us your catch and let Tim Knight’s Taxidermy bring your trophy back to life for you to admire! Call us today at (919) 291-6506 to get started. 

SOURCES: 

https://www.visitnc.com/listing/FTx5/howell-woods-environmental-learning-center

https://www.johnstoncc.edu/howellwoods/

3 Places To Go Saltwater Fishing This Summer

Summer is here and that means by this time of year, you may start to smell that hint of salt in the air. Whether you’re a new angler or you're wanting to hone your saltwater fishing skills, here are three saltwater fishing spots to check out this season. 

1. Bogue Inlet Pier. Bogue Inlet Pier is located in Emerald Isle and is a great spot to set up for the day and fish. This summer, they have already seen blowfish, black drum, sea mullet, and spots. Soon, they are expecting Spanish mackerel, King mackerel, and Cobia. If you get hungry or need bait or lures, the pier house will have everything you need to make your fishing trip enjoyable. 

2. Ocean Crest Pier. Come and enjoy a day of fishing with your friends at Ocean Crest Pier! You can bring your own gear, or if you need something else to complete your fishing trip, you can rent equipment at the pier house! At Ocean Crest Pier, there is no need for a fishing license so come and enjoy some good fishing with friends! 

3. Jennette’s Pier. Jennette’s Pier was the first fishing pier that opened in Nags Head, North Carolina in 1939, which makes it the oldest pier in the Outer Banks! They also provide educational programs to learn the basic skills necessary to catch fish. Topics covered in the program include species that are commonly found around the pier, a lesson on fish identification, how to cast and tie your rigs, as well as catch and release techniques. Start planning a summer fishing trip with your friends and family today!

Are you ready to treasure your catch for a lifetime? The perfect fish replica takes time, so contact us today at (919) 291-6506 to get started. 

SOURCES:

https://www.ocpier.com/

https://www.bogueinletpier.com/

4 Saltwater Fishing Tips To Help You This Summer

Summer is finally here which means many people get to enjoy a treasured hobby in North Carolina, saltwater fishing! If you and your friends are planning on doing some saltwater fishing, here are a few things you need to know. 

1. Use Shiny Lures. Did you know that saltwater fish are more attracted to shiny lures? This summer is sure to keep a few shiny lures in your tackle box. Shad, crawfish, and minnows are all good at reflecting light. 

2. Tie a Strong Knot. If you’ve ever been saltwater fishing, then you understand by now just how much saltwater fish fight back. It’s important that you use the correct fishing line but also that you tie a correct and durable knot. Try doing a Bimini Twist knot to strengthen the line! 

3. Check Your Local Fishing Reports. Local fishing reports can tell you what kind of activity is going on and what kind of fish are feeding. This can help you plan out what gear and bait to bring. You can also check out inlets of channels to find great fish feeding spots. Use a marine chart to help you discover fish locations!  

4. Try Chumming Your Fishing Location. Chumming is when you take your bait and throw it into a current so that it eventually brings the fish closer to you! Chumming the area you are fishing in can be a very quick and easy tip to attract hungry fish to your spot. Make sure to not throw it too far so they don’t steal the food and swim off! 

Are you planning on doing some saltwater fishing this summer? Bring your harvest to Tim Knight Taxidermy and let us preserve your fish for you to always treasure! Ready to get started? Contact us today at 919-291-6506 or www.timknighttaxidermy.com. 

SOURCES:

https://portsanibelmarina.com/fishing/8-saltwater-fishing-tips-you-need-to-know/

https://shopkarls.com/blog/shiny-baits/