Tips For Maintaining Your Trophies This Summer

Understanding the Impact of Humidity on Taxidermy

Humidity can significantly impact the longevity and appearance of your trophies. High humidity levels can cause several issues, including:

1. Moisture Absorption: The mounted trophies of your most memorable hunts are not made of stone. They are composed of organic materials: skin, fur, feathers, antlers, etc. As humidity rises, these materials absorb moisture from the air, leading to swelling, warping, or even mold and mildew growth. Mold spores thrive in damp environments, potentially causing irreparable damage to the delicate structures of your mounts​.
2. Deterioration of Adhesives and Mounting Materials: Taxidermy mounts are generally held together with glue and other materials that can degrade when exposed to excessive moisture. This can result in parts of the mount loosening or detaching entirely!
3. Insect Infestation: Humidity also can make these mounts a home for insects, particularly beetles and moths, whose larvae can feed on the organic materials in your mounts. Infestation can lead to significant damage, including hair loss and deterioration of the skin.

Maintaining a consistent humidity level is crucial to preserving the integrity of your taxidermy mounts over the years. Ideally, the relative humidity in the display or storage area should be kept between 40 - 55% to prevent these issues, and closer to 40% is better.

Optimal Placement to Mount Your Trophy

To further protect your trophies, it's essential to choose their placement carefully. Consider the following tips:

1. Avoid Direct Sunlight: UV rays from the sun can cause fading and discoloration of fur, feathers, and other materials. Continuous exposure can also lead to the drying out and brittleness of the mount, increasing the risk of cracking and splitting. Position your mounts away from windows or use UV-blocking films and curtains to mitigate these effects.
2. Keep Away from Heat Sources: Placing mounts near fireplaces, radiators, or other heat sources can dry out the materials, causing them to become brittle and more susceptible to damage. Heat also exacerbates humidity issues by creating fluctuating conditions that can stress the mount's materials​​.
3. Stable Environment: Choose a location with minimal temperature and humidity fluctuations. Basements, attics, and garages are generally not ideal due to their variable environmental conditions. Instead, opt for a indoor environment that is as climate controlled as possible, preferably with no windows, where you can maintain consistent conditions year-round​.

Controlling Humidity Levels

Maintaining the right humidity levels is essential for preserving your trophy mounts. Here’s how to control and monitor humidity effectively:

1. Use Dehumidifiers: Place dehumidifiers in rooms where your mounts are displayed or stored to reduce moisture levels. This helps keep the relative humidity below 60%, which is ideal for preventing mold growth and material degradation​ (Nature's Design Taxidermy)​​ (Meaningful Spaces)​.
2. Monitor with Hygrometers: Install hygrometers to regularly check the humidity levels. These devices provide accurate readings, allowing you to take timely action if levels rise too high​ (The Revolution with Jim & Trav)​​ (Meaningful Spaces)​.
3. Climate Control: Ensure the environment where your mounts are kept is climate-controlled. Avoid storing mounts in areas with significant temperature fluctuations, such as attics or basements. Consistent temperature and humidity are crucial for the longevity of your mounts​ (Deer and Deer Hunting)​​ (Meaningful Spaces)​.

Cleaning and Conditioning Your Mounts

Regular cleaning and conditioning are vital for keeping your mounts in top shape. Here’s how to do it properly:

1. Dusting: Use a soft cloth or feather duster to gently remove dust from the surface. This should be done regularly to prevent buildup, which can attract moisture and pests​ (Mossy Oak)​​ (The Revolution with Jim & Trav)​.
2. Conditioning: Apply a conditioning solution to maintain the sheen and flexibility of fur and feathers. A mixture of alcohol and Skin So Soft bath oil can be lightly misted over the mount and brushed in gently. This helps to keep the materials supple and vibrant​ (The Revolution with Jim & Trav)​.
3. Detailed Cleaning: For more thorough cleaning, use products like glass cleaner for eyes and ArmorAll for antlers. These can help restore the natural appearance and prevent dryness or brittleness​ (The Revolution with Jim & Trav)​​ (Deer and Deer Hunting)​.

Insect Prevention and Control

Insects pose a significant threat to taxidermy mounts. Here’s how to protect your trophies:

1. Regular Inspections: Check your mounts regularly for signs of insect activity, such as small holes, sawdust-like debris, or larval shells. Early detection is key to preventing severe damage​ (The Revolution with Jim & Trav)​​ (Deer and Deer Hunting)​.
2. Preventive Treatments: Use insecticides like Bifen to spray a fine mist over the mounts. This helps to deter pests from laying eggs and feeding on the materials. Brush the mixture into the fur to ensure thorough coverage​.
3. Freezing: Occasionally placing mounts in a freezer can kill any hidden pests. For larger infestations, consider using bug bombs to treat the entire room.

Maintenance Tips

Maintaining your trophy mounts requires different approaches depending on the season. Here’s how to keep your mounts in top condition during the summer:

1. Regular Inspections: Check your mounts more frequently during the summer for any signs of humidity damage or insect activity. Look for discoloration, mold, or pest infestations, and address issues promptly to prevent further damage​.
2. Always Use Climate Control: As summer often brings higher humidity, ensure your dehumidifiers are running effectively and monitor hygrometer readings closely. Increase the use of air conditioning to help control both temperature and humidity​.
3. Consistent Cleaning Routine: Dust can accumulate quickly, so increase your cleaning frequency. Use a soft cloth or feather duster weekly, and apply conditioning solutions as needed to maintain the quality of fur, feathers, and antlers​.

Mount Your Trophy with Full Range Hanging Systems

Ensure your trophies are displayed with the honor they deserve by using Full Range Hanging Systems. Our products are designed to showcase your mounts beautifully while offering robust support and customization options. Visit our store today to explore our selection of trophy mounts, perfect for any trophy collection. Enhance your display and protect your prized memories with our reliable and stylish mounting solutions.