How to Cape a whitetail 

*** We give discounts for properly caped deer ***

***If you cut the sternum too far, please let us know***

***Call or bring it by and I will help you***

The Steps: 

1. • Hang deer by back feet only!!! Deer hung by the neck will more than likely need a new cape. I would never risk damaging the antlers by hanginging 200-250lbs from them. Just my opinion...

   • Starting at the belly button, cut a ring all the way around the belly to the spine, back down to the belly button. 

   • The belly button should be half way between the front and back leg.

   • Best to not open the abdomen. If you do, wash the materials off the cape as soon as possible. 

   • Please towel dry the cape after you wash it. 

   • Cut around the front legs at the wrist, not the elbow. 

   • Cut the back side of the front legs all the way until you reach the tuft behind the shoulder. Notice you are on the line between white and brown?

   • Do not cut the armpit out, follow the brown and white edge all the way to the top of the armpit behind the leg. Cut right where the har bunches up. Stop there, and cut straight back to your belly cut.

   • If you are cutting in just white on the inside of the leg, you are doing it wrong.

   • Do not soak your cape and head in ice or water. Inside chest cavity is okay, just make sure to have water run out the rectum area.

   • My recommendaiton is to use 16 oz or 2L bottles that have been frozen. 

   • Think ahead and have 5-10 2 liters frozen in your deep freezer or travel cooler. If you are hunting far distances, I understand the desire to grab bags of ice on the way home for the cavity, that is perfectly fine, just try to let the water wicken off the cape. Face the deer antlers to the cab of the truck so the blood water pours out the anus and out the bed of your truck when taking off.

   • Pooling blood drastically speeds up bacteria growth.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Blood on hair, wash it then dry it off as soon as possible. If you are hanging your deer, this process is very simple and safe. But blood on the fur side can cause rapid bacteria growth.

• Never cut the breastbone of your deer. Stop once you reach the sternum. If you find resistance, or you are past the diaphram, stop!

• Please do not cut the breastbone, if you do, depending on the complexity, it may come at an up charge.

• Never leave your caped deer head at a deer processors! It may spoil and could cost you a new cape fee. If you are doing a european mount, please get the head to me sooner that later. I charge an upcharge for deadheads/rotten. ($30)

• Get your deer to me, 1-5 hours after it has been processed. If it is over 50 degrees, get it to me instantly.

• You can come to my Shop. I have a wench to hang your deer. I will help you.

• The sooner you get it to me, the less slipping chance, and mishandeling of a cape may come at an upcharge.

• If you come to my shop before the processor, we have a wench to easily hang your deer and remove the cape before you take it to the processor. I will give you a receipt showing you took it to a taxidermist before your processor. Your processor may want to see the receipt. 

• If you are going to to do a European Mount, Please keep your cape. I more than likely can give you a taxidermy discount.