I recently took a Whitetail Deer (10 pointer) myself that actually has a mane (like a horse but only about 2" tall) running all the way down the back of it's neck. I am going to do a full shoulder mount (sneak-so the mane can be seen. Is there another way to cape it out so that I don't have to cut it up the backside? Help appreciated...
Has anyone ever seen a mane on a deer?
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do the shorty Y cut. I never cut down the back anymore. It's to much sewing. Make the Y cut on top of the head, then only cut down the back of the neck 6 or 8 inches. Pull the head out of that hole. When you mount, slip the cape on the form, set the antlers on, then sew it up. You try this once or twice, and you will never cut a cape all the way open again. It's the only way to go.
not mains,
Thanks for the reply. I kinda figured this way might work but I have always done the caping incision all the way down the length. Thanks again..
I started that way of cutting all the way down the back. I tried the short meathod once, and never went back to the long cut.
I have a customer deer with a mane right now, also on a full smeak form. I don't even think the hunter knows that his deer has a mane yet. He will though!
I'm doing a full shoulder bull moose for a customer and this method sure would have saved me a ton of sewing... although with the moose's big snout the incision would still have to be fairly large (but not 4 feet!).
I shouldn't say that because I know SOMEONE who will tell me they've done it that way, but moose, elk, bison and maybe a few others make the short "Y" an impossibility because of sheer size. All the African maned stuff as well as pronghorns dorsal cut are best done when cut off to the side of the manes. That way, the mane hairs won't whorl when they're sewn. BTW, I have a maned deer I shot 2 years ago hanging in my game room. I see a couple every year.
I don't get many African Gameheads up here in Canada but thanks for the tip on dealing with their manes. I guess if I would have tried the shorty 'Y' cut on the moose I would have found out after struggling with it whether it worked or not.
Ive received both a moose and an elk short incision, and I did them that way. They were caped by others. The funny thing is, I still prefer to cut my capes all the way too! Ill do short incisions that are already like that, though. So, in case some of you see the benefits that I do and choose to long cut, the answer to the mane question is...same as any other maned animal, offset the cut to one side of the mane or the other. Bingo, problem solved. Like we always say, this stuff isnt rocket science, dont be afraid to use your noggin!
Why would you rather cut them all th eway down? I have only mounted about 400 deer, and the first 75 or so were cut all the way down, after i did one short y cut i will never go back. What am i missing?
For starters, my first name. Im in a hurry when caping, and to me, every aspect of caping, prepping and tanning is easier with open capes. I can fit capes much quicker and easier when mounting, too. Ill admit though, the short incision sure is nice for guys like me who dont like sewing. I really need the time during deer season, so thats the advantage for me, big time.
Well guys , I gave the shorty Y cut a try and caped out my deer. I can see where salting won't be as easy as with a cape split all the way down the back incision. I'm curious to see how easily it will be fitting the cape onto the headform when the time comes. Any tricks when fitting or just patience..
Its personal preference whether to do a long or short incision, initial capeing is much quicker when doing the long, prepping ie; shaving seems quicker to do the long cut, just a better feel and handling while shaving. stretching and sewing is much easier with the shorty. but inverting and removing the meat when capeing takes longer, I like the short, but do plenty of western game that always seems to be long cut. my short cuts still need about a 7in. tail on the y to be able to get over the head area without damaging my clay work on the eyes .