Hello:
I have a whitetail deer cape that I harvested last fall and would like to mount it for myself. I was wondering if it could be mounted without shaving the cape? I am set up to do every step required, except this one. I have no way to shave the cape. Will the thickness of the cape be a problem? Thank you.
Allen
Return to Deer Taxidermy Category Menu
You can shave it by hand over a beam. Just take your time and thin the neck area with a good sharp knife. The first deer I mounted I did it this way. I would measure that cape and get the form that comes closest to what you have or a little smaller. This will help things go together alot better for your first time. Good luck and have fun Jack F.
Go to a leather supply outlet and buy a cheap skiving knife for about $7.00-$12.00 along with extra blades.
This way, you can shave off a thin layer at a time in the face area, especially around the critical areas such as lips and eyes to avoid discouraging results with shrinkage. Take your time and shave the neck area thin as well, and also the bases of the ears and seam area.
Be sure to use a good two-part epoxy like Hidemaster or Epo-Grip. Make your lip slot thin (like a knife blade) and wobble the tool you use to create more space on the far inside of the slot...and make the lip slot angling upwards about 45 degrees or more. Slather generously with epoxy and pin and it will not move while drying.
Hope this helps!
Jeff W.
Find a taxidermist, and contract out the fleshing steps. The prices vary, but its well worth it.
Its not absolutly neccessary to shave a deer cape, elk , bear, yes but anything smaller than a deer you dont really need to.
Just thin the lip and face area as best you can and it will be fine.
I use a skife knife for this........