Author Topic: Whitetail Cape (Read 3007 times)

andersonjk4 · « **on:** December 10, 2012, 01:35:44 PM »

I decided to practice my caping skills on the buck I got on Saturday. The outcome was a success (I think it was at least

). Although I should have looked at Michelle's instructions before I started, not after I was done. I ended up splitting the back of the cape all the way from the base of the skull down the back. Other than that I think everything turned out good. Anyone have any interest in this cape? It has a nice thick winter coat I shot the buck saturday at noon (outside temp about 32*) had it skinned a few hours later and skinned the head the next day. The cape hasn't been subjected to any temps above about 38 degrees. I'm going to package it up (per Michelle's instructions on here) and put it in the freezer tonight. I can post or send some pics if someone is interested.

daydreamn · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2012, 07:58:32 PM »

What does it measure? Pictures are always a must as well.

BULLBLASTER · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2012, 09:00:12 PM »

i tried my hand at caping as well with my buck this fall. just for practice and didnt keep it. it really isnt as hard as i always thought it would be. hope someone can get good use of yours!

huntnnw · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2012, 11:03:18 PM »

The part most miss or mess up with caping is the eye gland..its deep and keeping the inner eye lid this is critical in the tucking

andersonjk4 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2012, 07:51:52 AM »

Yeah I did it for a learning experience. I figure someday I'll be down in some sort of hell hole with a big buck/bull and won't want to pack the whole head out, so I better learn how to do it myself and correctly. I got the eye glands and I'm pretty sure I got the inner eyelids. Thanks for the info guys.

sirmissalot · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2012, 07:59:02 AM »

I'm amazed at how many people are afraid to try caping their animals. Like you, I practice on almost all my animals. That way someday when i need to cape it in the field I will be able to handle it, it's great practice and a good thing to know.

andersonjk4 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2012, 08:21:55 AM »

Quote from: daydreamn on December 10, 2012, 07:58:32 PM

What does it measure? Pictures are always a must as well.

I didn't get any measurements from the cape before I put it in the freezer. I took a measurement off of the skinned head/neck right behind the ears and it measured right at 17". This was 24 hours after I skinned it, so the neck may have shrunk a little.

Here are some pics I took before I put it in the freezer...

andersonjk4 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2012, 08:26:53 AM »

A few more:

Elkstuffer · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:07:04 PM »

For mounting purposes you always want to take a measurement from the tip of the nose to the front corner of the eye. If you still have neck attached to the head you can measure the meat under the chin and up and around tight behind the ears. I wouldn't rely on the raw cape measurement. Re-measure after it's tanned. that will be your best and most accurate measurement.