I am going on a hunt to Montana to stay at a friends house. I will be there for 2 weeks. My question is if I shoot a deer or elk the first couple of days, What should I do with the cape? I would like to have them mounted (if they're big enough) or give the capes to my taxidermist.
I can flesh it ok. Should I turn the lips? Should I salt it? Should I just freeze it?
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and then subsequently salting.....freeze it for your taxidermist!
Dear MIke,the minute you get your deer down on the ground,get him caped out,then go sahead and split out the lips if you know how,REMOVE all meat,,then SALT with NON~Iodized salt.Its immportant to get all flesh removed as this will hinder the salt from curing the cape..Get him in salt QUICK and leave him in the salt till you get home,,Remember cold weather with moisture in the AIR wil take longer for the SALT to do its job.You could never hurt the hide by leaving in the salt to long.When the cape gets home in 2 weeks it will no doubt be CURED,,then ready for Picking and tanning.Never Freeze a fresh hide as the SALT will takke care of the CURING,,,NEVER,NEVER put hides or CAPES into the Freezer,,When you do hat,its a while before the entire cape is frozen,,SALT it vand forget it until you get home,,,Larry
Contact your taxidermist and see how HE wants it done. He will either help you with tips on splitting and turning (its easy) or tips on how to rough split and lightly salt. If you have the opportunity to freeze, cape as soon as you can and freeze it laying open in the freezer. As soon as it starts to firm up, fold it...repeat as it freezes. If you arent going to be able to process it right away, dont cape it right away either. Once the cape is removed from the carcass the bacteria starts up, as its exposed. Call your friend the taxidermist and see what he wants. Good luck on your hunt.
My taxidermist will be out of town for the next few weeks, until the end of Oct, on some kind of exotic hunt. (He has a commercial freezer where heads are put until he gets back.)
Thanks for the responses. I'll probably flesh it the best I can, turn the lips somewhat, then salt it. Then he'll deal with it.hehe
Thanks again.