Lets say I'm on a hunt and I have taken game. How do I need to take care of this cape and hide before I get it to taxidermy? If I know I'm not going to be able to get it to a taxidermy that day or the next, what do I need to do to make sure my trophy is not ruined. How do I take care of the cape properly? I know you don't get the hide wet but if I just need to keep it cool for a day until I can get it to the taxidermy what is the best way to do that. Will putting the cape in a trash bag on top of ice in a large cooler be ok?
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Curtis,
If you are going to have a shoulder mount,I would recommend that you leave as much of the cape as possible. This is generally done by cutting around the animals front legs approx. 6" behind the front legs. Skin the animal up to the neck and sever the neck from the rest of the body. The best and most common way to insure thec safety of the cape is to freeze it. Lay the cape in the freezer as flat as possible so that it may start to cool out. After an hour or two you may roll it up and let it freeze completely. If you are a few hours away from home during your hunting trip,you may put a plastic bag over the ice and put the cape on top of the plastic. Ed.
Just don't put it in a trash bag unless it is surrounded by ice. You are better off with putting it in something like a game bag that doesn't hold in heat. I always cringe when I see a cape stuffed into a tied up trash bag. Seen a lot of ruined capes that way.
Thank you for the help guys! I appreciate it!