Tannery Shipment Checklist for Taxidermy Shops

By MountChief Editorial Team|Updated Mar 2026

Missing items from tannery shipments are discovered at return, weeks or months later. A documented shipment count creates the reference needed when tanneries dispute missing items. A single elk cape lost at the tannery represents $900-$1,200 in direct liability. Five minutes of pre-shipment documentation prevents that loss.

Use this checklist for every tannery shipment, every time.

TL;DR

single elk cape lost at the tannery represents $900-$1,200 in direct liability.
Missing items from tannery shipments are discovered at return, weeks or months later.
What should I include when shipping hides to the tannery?
How do I document a tannery shipment to protect my shop?
What information should I record when I ship hides to the tannery?
Use this checklist for every tannery shipment, every time.

Pre-Shipment Preparation

Item verification:

[ ] Count all hides/capes/skins included in this shipment
[ ] Verify each item against your job records (no unlinked items)
[ ] Confirm each item has a QR tag or durable ID tag attached
[ ] Check that tag information (customer name, species, job number) is readable

Condition documentation:

[ ] Photograph each hide/cape before boxing if sending high-value specimens (elk, bear, exotics)
[ ] Note any pre-existing condition issues in your tannery shipment log
[ ] Confirm all hides have been properly salted and pre-dried before shipping

Species-specific documentation:

[ ] Deer: note any CWD county documentation requirements for your state
[ ] Turkey: confirm federal license numbers are on file before sending
[ ] Bear: confirm skull seal numbers are documented in your records
[ ] Exotic species: confirm CITES documentation is on file

Shipment Documentation Form

Complete this form for every shipment and file it in your tannery tracking system:

Shipment date: _______________

Tannery name: _______________

Total item count: _______________

Species breakdown:

Deer capes: _______
Elk capes: _______
Bear hides: _______
Turkey skins: _______
Other (specify): _______

Tracking/shipping number: _______________

Expected return date (calculate from stated tannery turnaround): _______________

Tannery cost expected (fee + shipping out): _______________

Notes (any items with pre-existing conditions or special instructions):

_______________

Packaging Requirements by Species

Deer capes:

Individually wrapped in plastic or mesh bags
Multiple capes can share a box if individually wrapped
Label exterior with count and your shop name/contact

Elk capes:

Large shipping carton required (elk capes don't fit standard deer boxes)
Waterproof inner bag required (moisture from the hide will soak through cardboard)
Insulate with ice packs if shipping in warm weather
Label with weight and fragile/livestock designation as required

Bear hides:

Large carton or bag depending on hide size
Waterproof packaging essential
Verify weight for shipping cost calculation (large boar bears can be 40-60 lbs)

Turkey skins:

Small plastic bag per bird, clearly labeled with customer name
Multiple birds can go in one box with individual bags
Label each bag with species and customer name (all turkeys look similar)

Fish skins:

Individual plastic bags, clearly labeled
Keep frozen if shipping fresh-processed skins

Shipping Method Considerations

When to use overnight or 2-day shipping:

Fresh or partially processed hides in warm weather (above 60°F)
High-value specimens where spoilage risk is significant

When ground shipping is acceptable:

Properly salted and pre-dried hides
Frozen specimens packaged with adequate insulation for the transit time
Cool weather months where temperature risk is minimal

Carrier considerations:

UPS and FedEx accept properly packaged hides/skins
USPS has restrictions on animal parts, verify before using for unusual species
Keep the tracking number and take a screenshot of the delivery confirmation

After Shipping: Follow-Up Calendar

48 hours after shipping:

[ ] Confirm the tannery received the shipment (call or check tracking)
[ ] Log the confirmation date in your tannery tracking system

At expected return date:

[ ] If return not received, follow up with the tannery

Within 48 hours of return receipt:

[ ] Count all returned items
[ ] Verify count against shipment record
[ ] Inspect each item for tannery damage (chemical burns, new slippage, over-thinning)
[ ] Document any issues in writing before taking the next step

If count doesn't match or damage is present:

[ ] Contact the tannery immediately (the same day you discover the discrepancy)
[ ] Provide your shipment documentation showing the count you sent
[ ] File a formal written claim for any damaged or missing items

Tannery Shipment Log Template

Maintain a running log with these fields for every shipment:

|--------------|---------|-----------|---------|-----------|----------------|--------------|--------|

| | | | | | | | |

This log is your primary evidence in any dispute about what was sent, when it was sent, and when it was returned.

The tannery shipment tracking feature in MountChief maintains this log digitally and sets automatic reminders when expected return dates pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I include when shipping hides to the tannery?

Every tannery shipment should include: individually tagged and wrapped hides with your shop name and job number on each tag, a packing list showing the total item count and species breakdown, your contact information on the exterior of the box, and appropriate insulation or ice packs if shipping in warm weather or fresh-processing fish or bird skins. High-value specimens (elk, bear) should be photographed before shipping. The packed shipment should match your shipment documentation exactly, no extra items, no missing items.

How do I document a tannery shipment to protect my shop?

Complete the shipment documentation form above before boxing your hides. Record the total count, species breakdown, and expected return date in your tannery tracking system. Keep the tracking number and delivery confirmation. When the return arrives, immediately count incoming items against your shipment record. Document any discrepancy on the same day. Your shipment record is your evidence in any dispute with the tannery about what was sent. Shops with documented shipment logs resolve tannery disputes successfully far more often than shops relying on memory.

What information should I record when I ship hides to the tannery?

Record: the shipment date, tannery name, total item count, species breakdown by count, carrier and tracking number, expected return date (based on tannery's stated turnaround), tannery fee expected, and any notes about individual items with pre-existing conditions or special instructions. This information serves two purposes: it gives you the reference to follow up when return dates pass, and it gives you the documented evidence needed to file a claim if a hide is lost or damaged. File this record in your management system linked to the individual jobs included in the shipment.

How does this apply to solo taxidermy shops?

The principles in this guide apply to solo shops just as they do to larger operations, though the scale differs. A single-person shop may have lower absolute volume but faces the same documentation, compliance, and customer communication requirements. The practical advice here scales down to any shop size.

What is the most common mistake taxidermists make with taxidermy shop tannery shipment checklist?

The most common mistake is treating taxidermy shop tannery shipment checklist as an afterthought rather than building it into the standard workflow from the start. Shops that encounter problems in this area typically did not establish clear processes before season, which means every situation becomes a one-off decision rather than a standard response.

Try These Free Tools

Put these insights into practice with our free calculators and planners:

Sources

National Taxidermists Association (NTA)
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Small Business Administration (SBA)

Get Started with MountChief

Tannery visibility is the biggest operational gap at most taxidermy shops. MountChief's tannery tracking gives you a running log of every shipment, expected return, and actual return so you always know where every hide stands. Try MountChief to bring the tannery portion of your workflow under full control.