I would like to know how to cape out a deer in order to keep the hide nice for mounting of the whole deer head? Thank you.
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Are you looking to mount it yourself in the future or take it to a taxidermist? If you plan to take it to the taxidermist than just wrap the whole head up and put it in the freezer. The taxidermist will cape it one he gets it.
First open the deers mouth. You may have to use a large screwdriver to pry the mouth apart. with a knife or better yet a scaple blade cut around the inside of the deers lips to free the skin. Make sure you leave atleast 1/4 of inner lip skin for tucking. You will also need to realese the nose. Peal the skin down as far as you can.
Second make a Y incision behind the antler burs. Use a scaple blade or a very sharp knife. The insicion should be 6 inches long.
Then cutting next to the skull relive the skin and cut through the ear buts.
Now flip the head upside down and skin the deer around the kneck toward the skull. Using a knife cut through the joint connecting the neck to the skull and remove all that meat.
Now flip the head back over and start reliving the skin and pulling the skull out the Y incision.
When you get to the eyes put your finger in the back of the eye skin to keep from cutting the corners of the eyes. Once past the eyes just finish removing the rest of the skull. FOLD the cape and put it in a plastic bag and in the freezer.
I hope this helps.
MichelleW
Don't damage the hair when making the Y incision. once you get the incision started put you knife under the skin and cut it will keep you from damaging hair.
MichelleW