Hey hunter! 👋 I'm Huck — built for the moment you tag out. Ask me anything about field care, processing, taxidermy, regulations, or scoring. Here's a taste of what I'll be able to do:

42°F is right in the safe zone. You've got roughly 3–4 days hanging before spoilage becomes a concern — as long as the temp stays consistent and the cavity is clean and open. A few things to watch: direct sunlight can heat the surface even in cold air, and if temps spike above 50°F at any point, cut that window to 24–36 hours. Field hang or walk-in?

Cape prep is everything for a shoulder mount:

🔪 Don't cut the throat — field dress from sternum down, not up the neck.
✂️ Leave plenty of cape — cut behind the front shoulders, not at the neck.
❄️ Cool it fast — salt the cape if you can't get to the taxidermist within 24 hrs.
📸 Take photos before skinning for pose reference.

Want me to find taxidermists near you on The Hunt Buddy map?

Pennsylvania uses a Disease Management Area (DMA) system. Which county are you in? I can tell you if you're in DMA 2, DMA 5, or a standard zone — and what that means for transporting the deer, keeping the head, and check station requirements.