Caping a Doe

[fishjigger]

Is there any special cuts needed for caping a doe?

[Cole]

Just one big one around the body behind the front legs.

[psycho]

When you skin out a wt doe, ANY wt doe including the big fat headed does like we get here in Illinois, just make the cut like Cole suggested.  Then you can start on peeling the lips back from the face.  As you peel the mouth skin back towards her ears and you come to the eyes and tear ducts continue to cut them free.  When you get to the ear canals, cut through them as close to the skull as possible.  Once her ears are free you can peel her mouth all the way open around the back of her head if you wanted to and keep skinning the neck out.  It's really that easy.  The biggest Doe I have ever skinned out like this had an 8" nose to eye.  If I can do it, anyone can do it and there is NO REASON you have to make an incision down her neck.  Just tube her out.  It's a piece of cake. 

You could also make the cut like Cole said and then skin all the way up the neck to the base of the skull and then start on the mouth if you want. 

Good Luck and I hope this helps.  If you need anything else let me know.  Dan

[Michael Brigman]

I make a short incision from the base of the head and down the back of the neck. Approximately 5 or 6 inches long. I have used both methods, tube and cut, but prefer the cut method. I like to work quickly and eventhough I have to do a little sewing later, it seems to save me time overall. Plus, with the cut method I can apply extra hide paste if needed. I've got a doe on the stand now and my next mount is a doe also.