Are my capes still ok

I have 2 bucks still in my freezer from Nov. they are wrapped in plastic bags but not tightly. I waited for tools that I ordered to arrive and I am just know getting the time to start my first deer. Is there a way to tell if they are still good,I just don't want to be wasting my time on these capes if they are no good.

Thanks
Michael

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Capes

Michael,
Considering I've used capes over 5 years old that had been green frozen, I suspect that you should be OK. Once they thaw, however, look at the lips and skin for "burn" spots which will show up as noticeably darker and will be hard to the touch. You can rehydrate these by using some warm water with bacteriacide in it. In the future, make sure you wrap them tightly. I take my shop vacuum and make sure the plastic back is free of air before I tie the bag. I rool my hides with the ears and face inside the tubed neck and then I place it in a large paper bag like the grocery stores use and tape it tightly. They pack neatly in your freezer and give you a good surface to put the job# or date or any other pertinent information where you can quickly see what you have without opening the bags.

If they looked good before

you put them in the freezer,then they should be ok.Thaw them out one at a time in a room about 70 degrees overnight,by morning they should be all ready to go.I try to hang mine up by the antlers so that as it thaws ,any juices will flow off the cape.Flesh and salt and keep it out of this summer heat,put a fan close to it to speed drying.

Thanks

Thanks to both of you hung 1 from a bar in the basement tonight.