{"id":9279,"date":"2015-01-07T14:32:05","date_gmt":"2015-01-07T20:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/storagecom-blog.local\/?p=9279"},"modified":"2025-03-14T14:36:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T19:36:40","slug":"store-your-taxidermy-collection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.storage.com\/blog\/store-your-taxidermy-collection\/","title":{"rendered":"Store Your Taxidermy Collection"},"content":{"rendered":"

The art of taxidermy is a lot of work. If you\u2019re renovating your home, someone in your house doesn\u2019t want them there anymore, or whatever the case may be \u2014 don\u2019t shove them somewhere else in the house. <\/span>Instead, find a climate-controlled storage unit with Storage.com to keep your collection pieces safe.<\/span><\/a> Read how to properly store them in order to keep the taxidermy intact.<\/span><\/p>\n

A taxidermy collection is among your most prized possessions as a hunter. All of those hours spent on preparation and patient waiting mean you can show off your kills to family, friends, and fellow hunters.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not often that you\u2019ll transport these specimens, but if you\u2019re moving or renovating your home\u2014or your spouse says there are too many deer heads in the house\u2014you may need to find a safe place to store your collection. Instead of an attic, basement, or garage, store your taxidermy collection in self-storage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Proper Ways to Handle Your Taxidermy Collection<\/h2>\n

As a taxidermy owner, before you even consider storage, your taxidermy pieces need to be properly insulated. Outdoor storage is the enemy of taxidermy storage because your trophies will be exposed to direct sunlight (which will cause fading and affect appearance over time) and carrion-eating parasites, such as insects. Don\u2019t rush with indoor storage either. What good are adequate storage conditions if your taxidermy mounts become scratched or torn due to poor packaging?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe best way to prevent problems with pests, dust, and sunlight is to seal the collection in wooden crates,\u201d says Pixie Hicks, owner of <\/span>Hicks Taxidermy<\/span><\/a> in Northport, Ala. \u201cMany times, your local taxidermist is happy to give these to you. You simply attach your mounts to the inside [of the crate] using wood screws.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In loading your taxidermy mounts and trophies, you might need a second person to hold the plaque of each individual specimen against the crate interior while you set the screws. If you store multiple trophies in one crate, you\u2019ll need to figure out how to fit them all so they don\u2019t end up pressed together or stacked on each other. Constant abrasion could leave marks in the hides.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you need to wear gloves when handling your collection? Not necessarily. \u201cPresent-day taxidermy specimens are preserved using a dry preservative or tanning process,\u201d Hicks explains. \u201cIf simply hanging them for your enjoyment were dangerous, we wouldn\u2019t have museums.\u201d However, she says some mounts can contain toxic materials, like arsenic and\/or mercury, in which case you\u2019d want to wear gloves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Protecting Your Taxidermy Collection from Pests<\/h2>\n

Once you\u2019ve loaded your mounts, the next step is preserving them in storage. One of the values of keeping your trophies in a self-storage unit is that you can access them on a regular basis for cleaning.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Hicks, pests are a dominant threat. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing worse than [collecting] your stored trophies and finding that an invasion of roaches, moths, rats, or mice have intruded and caused damage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThere\u2019s nothing worse than [collecting] your stored trophies and finding that an invasion of roaches, moths, rats, or mice have intruded and caused damage.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014Pixie Hicks, owner of Hicks Taxidermy<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To protect your collection of taxidermy specimens from an infestation, Hicks recommends placing poison pellets, <\/span>No Pest Strips<\/span><\/a>, and silica gel packets inside the crate(s) just in case rodents manage to chew their way through the crate walls. Coat the seams of the crate with a silicon sealant for extra insulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t risk damage to your trophies \u2014 find a storage unit with Storage.com to keep your collection secure and well-preserved.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Why Climate Control Is Important When Storing Taxidermy<\/h2>\n

When storing your taxidermy animals, it\u2019s important to maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels inside the storage unit. \u201cWith wider temperature fluctuations, skins will contract and expand, eventually causing hides to crack,\u201d Hicks explains. To prevent this, you\u2019ll need a self-storage unit equipped with <\/span>climate control<\/span><\/a>. This amenity acts as a heater, air conditioner, humidifier, and dehumidifier in your unit to control temperature and humidity levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClimate-controlled storage is the only way to go with ensuring safe preservation of your valued mounts,\u201d Hicks says. \u201c[Between] 60-85\u00b0F is the recommended tolerance. Ask about humidity control and look for units [that] do not allow humidity to exceed 60%.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Daniel Wetzel of <\/span>Wetzel & Sons Moving and Storage<\/span><\/a> in Pacoima, Calif., agrees about controlling humidity. \u201cLow relative humidity is the potential cause of extreme dryness, shrinkage, and cracking. High relative humidity can cause warping and swelling, so they\u2019re important things to take into consideration when storing delicate items.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Storage Features for Taxidermy Storage<\/h2>\n

In addition to climate control, there are other features you should look for in a storage facility when storing your taxidermy collection. Hunting trophies are one-of-a-kind items that cannot be replaced, so it would be a terrible thing to have them stolen. For this reason, your facility should have good security features, such as gated access, video surveillance, alarmed units, or on-site management. Any one (or combination) of these security features can help protect your items in self-storage.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cVaulted storage is perfect for storing a customer\u2019s prized possessions.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniel Wetzel of Wetzel & Sons Moving and Storage<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Not all facilities feature vaulted storage, but if you can find one that does, you\u2019ll have an extra level of protection for your trophies. \u201cVaulted storage is perfect for storing a customer\u2019s prized possessions,\u201d says Wetzel. \u201cEach item is properly prepared and carefully packed to ensure optimum storage conditions. Once properly prepared for storage, they\u2019re placed on storage racks where they\u2019re kept safe and dust-free.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A hunting trophy is neither inexpensive nor is it easy to obtain, so you\u2019ll want to ensure the best possible protection when storing your collection. If the storage facility you select can provide climate control and adequate security, your specimens should remain in good condition for the next time they go on display.<\/span><\/p>\n

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