I have a beautiful late season whitetail cape (with long winter hair) that I want to take to competition. It is a older more mature deer with a perfect face not one scar. How ever the only draw back is that it was shot in the left side of the white patch, if I hide this bullet hole do you think it will hurt me. please give me some suggestions.
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How many little cuts and nicks will you put in the cape through the fleshing/shaving/tanning process. That's and easy repair and will not be noticed if done properly.
Ok understand the better the specimen the easier it is.
When you are just starting you cannot get the perfect specimen, so its up to you to repair it and work with what you have.
Yea, I too have been thru that judges comment "You should have used a better cape."
Its ok for the judge to say that but you and I know its not practical.
I will tell you now never have I found the perfect specimen. The ones I am working on now are not perfect but I will do the best I can with them.
unless you scare to death (or run over them).
In 2001 I took a whitetail to the World competition that I mounted for my Dad. It had a bullet hole in the neck, a wart about the size of a pea 1" below its eye, and area of rubbed hair on its brisket 1"X5" long, and 2 rub marks of 1" x 3" on its shoulders. I cut out all bad areas, stitched it up, and took a first place in the professional division with it.
Just part of the game, have fun...and be confident:)