Question for Taxidermist

[grundy53]

So I know I'm getting ahead of myself but I would like to know my options. I have a Washington moose tag. If I'm fortunate to fill my tag I'm going to have to decide between a shoulder mount or a euro mount. I'm worried that if I decide to do a euro then someday change my mind that I won't be able to get a Cape for it. So my question is can you use a cape from another sub species of moose? Like a Eastern or Yukon? Or would that look too goofy? The reason I ask is because I assume those capes are more prevalent. What do you guys think?

[hunter399]

Well you might be able to get a cape down the road from a cow permit holder .Then you'll have one of those pro gender moose.

[brew]

got my washington bull moose in a euro mount...do you have any idea how big a moose shoulder mount would be ?  at that time i shot it there was no way it would fit in my house...unless i had a big lodge with raised ceilings i wouldn't get a shoulder mount

[Westside88]

Maybe tan the cape just in case you decide later you want a shoulder mount? I’ve considered this option for elk, just a thought

[grundy53]

got my washington bull moose in a euro mount...do you have any idea how big a moose shoulder mount would be ?  at that time i shot it there was no way it would fit in my house...unless i had a big lodge with raised ceilings i wouldn't get a shoulder mount

I have vaulted ceilings. Plus. I could always get a new house to fit my moose.

[Jpmiller]

got my washington bull moose in a euro mount...do you have any idea how big a moose shoulder mount would be ?  at that time i shot it there was no way it would fit in my house...unless i had a big lodge with raised ceilings i wouldn't get a shoulder mount

I have vaulted ceilings. Plus. I could always get a new house to fit my moose.

New house to fit the moose!

I think how monsterous it is would be half the appeal of it. Saw on once the guy had it mounted right above the baseboards lol

[BULLBLASTER]

Whatever you decide please save the cape for a taxidermist if you aren’t going to be using it.

I think that you may get by with a Canada Moose (still a difference) cape but an Alaska or Yukon would be too different

If you decided later down the road to shoulder mount it your taxi should be able to find a cape but it won’t be cheap. 

[PlateauNDN]

got my washington bull moose in a euro mount...do you have any idea how big a moose shoulder mount would be ?  at that time i shot it there was no way it would fit in my house...unless i had a big lodge with raised ceilings i wouldn't get a shoulder mount

I have vaulted ceilings. Plus. I could always get a new house to fit my moose.

  that's obviously the only feasible option.

[Pinetar]

Maybe tan the cape just in case you decide later you want a shoulder mount? I’ve considered this option for elk, just a thought

  Seems like the best option. Good luck on your hunt!!

[JakeLand]

Do a shoulder mount on A pedastal then you just have to figure out what corner to put it in

[shootem]

Whatever you decide please save the cape for a taxidermist if you aren’t going to be using it.

I think that you may get by with a Canada Moose (still a difference) cape but an Alaska or Yukon would be too different

If you decided later down the road to shoulder mount it your taxi should be able to find a cape but it won’t be cheap. 

I absolutely agree with BULLBLASTER about saving your cape for a taxi. Talk to your favorite one or if you don't have one talk to a couple.
Someone wants your cape just like you might want one in the future.

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Grundy,
First off, congrats on the tag! To answer your question there are several options. If you looking for a euro then I am sure if you bring back a usable cape from your bull, someone will work a deal with you. I take in lots of capes from elk, blacktails, mulies, and especially moose. I offer free euro on the animal in exchange for the cape, given its in good condition. The other option is exactly what several have suggested here. Have your taxidermist prep and wet tan the cape. A wet tanned cape, packaged properly, can last quite a few years in the freezer with no problems; so if down the road you change your mind and want to have it mounted up it would be possible. Shiras capes are one of the harder ones to find for a moose. You CAN use an Alaskan or Yukon, however their are usually quite a bit bigger and aren't, typically, as dark in color.
The final option is 'just send it' and go with a shoulder mount. There are all kinds of options to accommodate low ceiling space such as a sneaked position or pedestal. But yes....I won't lie, even a small moose takes up some serious real estate on the wall.
Best of luck this year! Joel/BRT

[jackelope]

My goat is currently euro'd with the cape and all at the taxidermist. I'm having a wall pedestal done but it's going to take a little while to get done. If I was you, I'd save the cape and have it tanned for the taxi. That way you have it if you decide in a few years or whatever that you want to shoulder mount it. It doesn't cost too much and it's a once in a lifetime thing!!

[grundy53]

Thanks for the advice guy's. It's very helpful. I'll probably go with a shoulder mount unless I screw up the cape some how. On that note are there any tips for storing the cape for a couple days without a refrigerator or freezer in early October temperatures?

[grundy53]

Also, if I were to go the Pedestal route could it be converted to a wall mount in the future?

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Thanks for the advice guy's. It's very helpful. I'll probably go with a shoulder mount unless I screw up the cape some how. On that note are there any tips for storing the cape for a couple days without a refrigerator or freezer in early October temperatures?

After you skin the cape away from the rest of the neck and shoulders the best tactic is the thing cool. Unless you have someone that can skin the face off the skull or you are very proficient at it your really running a risk with the cape spoiling without access to a freezer or fridge unless it gets extremely cold at night. You can always check with meat cutting shops or even a local taxidermist that may charge you minimal feel to cape the moose off the skull. One option, if youre near a cold stream or lake is to get the cape cool after harvest and then wrap the head and cape in a few contractor style (thicker than your average garbage bag) bags and put it in a cold stream. Make sure it doesn't come in (cape and head) doesn't come in contact with the water and make sure its cooled down before wrapping it up in the bag before immersion. DO NOT salt the cape, it won't do you any good without the skin completely coming off the skull and the lips, eyes, ears, and nose being 'turned'. Hope this gave you some options.

A pedestal CAN be converted but it would really take some labor and potentially $$  in doing so as both style of mounts work completely differently as to where their mounting hardware is and how it is affixed to its mounting structure. A better option would be to initially make your mount a wall-mount and then mount it like a pedestal such as using the bracket on the backside to mount to a tree or rock on the pedestal base. A true pedestal mount has two large all thread screws at the bottom of the brisket area that mount into a hard base, thus making it hard to convert to a wall mount. Hope that makes sense.
Good luck on the hunt!!

[lewy]

Moose euros are pretty sweet looking

[grundy53]

Thanks for the advice guy's. It's very helpful. I'll probably go with a shoulder mount unless I screw up the cape some how. On that note are there any tips for storing the cape for a couple days without a refrigerator or freezer in early October temperatures?

After you skin the cape away from the rest of the neck and shoulders the best tactic is the thing cool. Unless you have someone that can skin the face off the skull or you are very proficient at it your really running a risk with the cape spoiling without access to a freezer or fridge unless it gets extremely cold at night. You can always check with meat cutting shops or even a local taxidermist that may charge you minimal feel to cape the moose off the skull. One option, if youre near a cold stream or lake is to get the cape cool after harvest and then wrap the head and cape in a few contractor style (thicker than your average garbage bag) bags and put it in a cold stream. Make sure it doesn't come in (cape and head) doesn't come in contact with the water and make sure its cooled down before wrapping it up in the bag before immersion. DO NOT salt the cape, it won't do you any good without the skin completely coming off the skull and the lips, eyes, ears, and nose being 'turned'. Hope this gave you some options.

A pedestal CAN be converted but it would really take some labor and potentially $$  in doing so as both style of mounts work completely differently as to where their mounting hardware is and how it is affixed to its mounting structure. A better option would be to initially make your mount a wall-mount and then mount it like a pedestal such as using the bracket on the backside to mount to a tree or rock on the pedestal base. A true pedestal mount has two large all thread screws at the bottom of the brisket area that mount into a hard base, thus making it hard to convert to a wall mount. Hope that makes sense.
Good luck on the hunt!!

Thank you very much! Looks like I have some more planning to do.

[daydreamn]

Joel is pretty much right on with his advise only I would suggest that if you are interested in storing your cape for use later, Don't get it tanned. True, A wet tanned cape properly done, could last up to seven or eight years in the freezer but a cape that has been properly fleshed, turned and salted then dried will last almost indefinitely. It can then at any time be rehydrated and tanned for use when your ready to do your mount.  Best of luck with your hunt.   

[jackelope]

@BlackRiverTaxidermy  what if his mount started life as a wall pedestal style mount? Would that make things easier down the road if he decided he wanted to do a normal pedestal?

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

@BlackRiverTaxidermy  what if his mount started life as a wall pedestal style mount? Would that make things easier down the road if he decided he wanted to do a normal pedestal?

It would, however they don’t sell forms as a wall pedestal for moose. It would be something that would have to be completely customized and depending on the size of the antlers may have some challenges with clearance for a wall pedestal moose. I’m working on a wall pedestal elk mount right now and there are challenges.

[jackelope]

Makes sense and didn't think about the size challenges. Thanks.

[daydreamn]

@BlackRiverTaxidermy  what if his mount started life as a wall pedestal style mount? Would that make things easier down the road if he decided he wanted to do a normal pedestal?

It would, however they don’t sell forms as a wall pedestal for moose. It would be something that would have to be completely customized and depending on the size of the antlers may have some challenges with clearance for a wall pedestal moose. I’m working on a wall pedestal elk mount right now and there are challenges.

   Yes they do!

[BULLBLASTER]

@BlackRiverTaxidermy  what if his mount started life as a wall pedestal style mount? Would that make things easier down the road if he decided he wanted to do a normal pedestal?

It would, however they don’t sell forms as a wall pedestal for moose. It would be something that would have to be completely customized and depending on the size of the antlers may have some challenges with clearance for a wall pedestal moose. I’m working on a wall pedestal elk mount right now and there are challenges.

   Yes they do!

My bull is a wall ped