Short Y Incision

make a T cut not a Y , cut the neck off at atlas so you can make a short cut and back the head out when you get the back open ,cut ear butts off and back the head out

 

Bullship! The "T" cut is a gimmick that simply makes the entire job harder and without any other reason than it's a gimmick. The "Y" is time tested and allows you to work your earbutts ON BOTH SIDES as you mount the animal It hides easily because it flows in the direction of the incision.
As for taking the antlers off, I used a hand bone saw for about 50 years and finally wised up to what a Sawzall can do in less than a minute.

 

I think one of the reinharts liked the "7" incision ?
antler to antler and then from the antler down the back of the neck.

never tried it, just thought i would toss it out there.

 

I have done the "7" incision and didn't like it.

 

This season I started doing a v cut, then work around the burs with a screwdriver. Then I use a ossolating tool to cut skull plate. Then the antlers are off and out of the way I finish skinning. Leaves a total of 5” to sew. Takes no more time for me to do it this way but saves about 5” of sewing compared to a short Y.

 

With the advent of CWD, I have lots of customers personally skinning their out of state deer. Hunters seem to make a loooooong Y cut, and totally cut out tear ducts...I hate dealing with them.

 

Yup that’s very annoying.

 

advertise that you are now offering classes on how to care and skin your out of state trophy for the taxidermist!
might be worth it, might not.

 

Just sharing info as I'm not a taxidermist, I help my son do some euro mounts is all. I was in a local taxidermy shop this past weekend just checking to see how many whitetail heads he's taken in for the year...since archery season he's taken in just over 100...anyways he was skinning a head for a shoulder mount and he just cut across at the back of the antler bases. he used a flat head screwdriver to skin about the bases and used a big wood chisel and hammer to remove the skull cap and antlers. I've never seen it done that way but he said a lot less sewing and makes for a cleaner mount. He went to this method about 10yrs ago. I'm not saying this is the right way or best way, but a different way.

 

I've tried that method, but resorted to the short Y.

 

I charge extra if I didnt cape it out because I got tiredof having to work with butchered capes . Even some guys where paying taxidermist or processing places to Cape them out for them . And they usually butcher the crap out of them also .
Tommy

 

Tommy, I do that on a case by case basis. When customers drop off a frozen cape they are informed of the possibility of an extra charge for repairs.
To original question remove the neck at the axis joint and then make your leg of the y only as far as you need to get the skull through it. keep skinning until the cape is removed and then use a sawzall to cut the skull.

 

Don't you guys know that the taxidermist is suppose to fix everything. I offer my skinning rack and show them the proper way after they get charged for screwing one up. They have to haul off the guts.

 

Honestly a lot of deer get turned down. Some look like they were skinned with a broken beer bottle by a drunk skinner, or are black from being wallowed around in the dirt and mud soaking wet or hair slipping after they rode it around for a couple days in the south Georgia heat showing it to all his friends. Then they throw it in a freezer until a wife says it's got to go it is stinking up the freezer. Then they finally get it to you to perform magic on. Thankfully some have been educated and are a pleasure to do business with. That's what keeps a taxidermist going. I think kids that have to take a hunters education class should be taught how to properly skin, and take care of the cape and meat as well. Just my thoughts but what do I know I only turned 68 today !!!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

Happy birthday!!

 

Thanks guys ! I never imagined getting this old when I was sixteen ! I figured as hard as I was going I would be dead by 35.

 

Happy Birthday Swampfox! Hope it is a great day for you with many more to come.