I would like to know if the field prep is the same for an antelope as it is for a deer or elk. I have a friend going out of state for a hunt and if he gets a antelope would like to know what to do regarding preping the head before traveling back home which will take approx. 4 to 5 days. Any help is appreciated.
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Sandy:
Because the hair on an antelope is hollow, there are a few precautions that when taken can increase the odds of getting the prairie goat from Point A to Point B without going bad.
1. Cape that sucker out immediately. Heat is your worst enemy.
2. Leave the detail work to the taxidermist. Make a straight cut up the back of the neck to the base of the skull just like a deer, then roll the cape up GENTLY and cut the head off. Leave the rest for the taxidermist. (An antelope's hair is very brittle!)
3. Keep it cool (get it frozen, if possible), but don't let it soak in melting ice. The hair will absorb the water/blood and you'll end up with a pink goat. Find a eatery that will let you throw your head in their walk-in freezer over night. It's worth the $10 it may cost you.
By the way, antelope is great eatin' if taken care of. Get it cool ASAP and you'd be surprised how good it is.
Have them be very careful to keep the cape clean while gutting and such, don't allow it to be wallowed around in blood. As mentioned above the hair is hollow and broken hair will suck the blood up inside it like a syringe, and it don't come out. Instruct them to be careful handling in photo taking, loading, skinning, etc. if they grab a chunk of hair, they'll likely pull it out. Also as said above KEEP IT COOL! I'm with A.E., Pronghorn is one of my very favorite game meats, when properly cared for.
When I hunted a combo hunt in Montana, we were told there were dozens of people who'd take our donated mule deer meat but no one wanted the prong. Well, we were "stuck" with it and it was absolutely fantastic. I ended up giving muley to my friends, but I hoarded up my prong steaks to the very end. It's actually a sweet tasting meat.
Thanks for the tips and I will pass them on.
I still do not know why you would cut the cape all the way up the back. All you need in a short incision about six inches long behind the skull. YOu can cut the cape off around the rib cage, about three or four inches behide the shoulder. and then you will not be limitted to the form selection. Also, you better freeze the cape if you leave the head inside the skin. It would be better if you skinned it completly off the animal and turned the lips, and eyes and skinned out the nose and split the ears and then salt the thing for a few days out in the sticks. You will have a better mount, if not, you may get slippage on the tips of the ears, lips, eyes, and around the whole head if you are not carefull.
Also, keeping the fur clean is a great Idea, but do not get the fur wet or try to wash or rinse the blood off. You will casue the hair to slip in a hurry. It is tought to remove the blood stains, but it is better than a bald spot on the mount.
Also, a big NO_NO with antelopes is not to tie them on a four wheeler or haul them very far on one as the hair will break off and bend and look ratty.
I would recomend taking some dry ice ot put a skin with the head on. Do not put it on regular ice as the moisture will actually cause slippage. I have done tons of antelope and the better care you take, the better the mount.
I know here in Utah the hunt is the first of septemeber and the temperatures are in the 100's during the day and there is no room for faliures. you either take care of the head, or you have a european skull.
If you would like any other comments that I may have forgotten, Email me.