Ruined cape

[Borol_Bandit]

My bestfriend and hunting partner shot a 300+” Roosevelt this archery season and he just received a call from his taxidermist that the tanning place that he had it sent to “Discovered” two fist sized bare spots of no hair on the bulls face and back. Nobody is sure how this happened to the cape as it definitely was not like this when we dropped it off. Does anybody have a cape of a bull that caliber they are willing to part with?

[Cylvertip]

Try Alden's Taxidermy in Oly (assuming he is still operating). He used to take capes of good quality animals in trade for $$$ off of Euro mounts.  I traded 2 way back when.  He may have one to sell. 

[headshot5]

Don't have a cape, but I'd like to see a pic of your buddies 300" bull.     If he is good with you posting it.

[Rob]

Hair slip is usually caused by heat before or after skinning.  (i.e. not getting the cape off fast enough, not keeping the hide cool post skinning). It does not show up until later - you will drop it off looking fine but as they work it, the hair slips off.  Not saying that is what happened here, just that this is the most common cause.

[fowl smacker]

Hair slip is usually caused by heat before or after skinning.  (i.e. not getting the cape off fast enough, not keeping the hide cool post skinning). It does not show up until later - you will drop it off looking fine but as they work it, the hair slips off.  Not saying that is what happened here, just that this is the most common cause.

Heat (or not below refrigeration cold), moisture will ruin a cape in as little as a couple days depending on temp.  Once the hide work from the taxidermist starts hair can come out in handfuls.

[Rob]

If it was taken in August or Sept on a hot day, that can be even worse.

It was 70 degrees when I shot my spring bear last year and it took us several hours to get the hide off.  Very hopeful that there is no slip!

[Limhangerslayer]

Hair slip is usually caused by heat before or after skinning.  (i.e. not getting the cape off fast enough, not keeping the hide cool post skinning). It does not show up until later - you will drop it off looking fine but as they work it, the hair slips off.  Not saying that is what happened here, just that this is the most common cause.

Heat (or not below refrigeration cold), moisture will ruin a cape in as little as a couple days depending on temp.  Once the hide work from the taxidermist starts hair can come out in handfuls.

moisture is your biggest enemy, if it got rolled up with moisture on it that bacteria will grow quick!  I’m checking with my taxidermist buddy to see if he’s got one to part with.  And it may be he’s holding onto it for his clients that need one.

[Limhangerslayer]

He has one, but is saving it for his customers.  Good luck in your search.

[Sundance]

If your taxi cannot provide another cape you can call around and see if another taxi has one for sale. You can try Moscow Hide & Fur, doubtful they have a roosevelt cape but you never know. Like others have said, hair slip happens for a lot of reasons (heat/moisture) so first thing you do after skinning the cape out is get it on ice or in a freezer ASAP. If you can get it to a taxi great, other then that salting the hide ONLY if you know what you are doing for hide prep. I used to salt/prep my own capes before taking them in but now I just throw them in the freezer for the taxidermist. If I'm on an extended hunt where I cannot get to a freezer then I will prep and salt, otherwise I don't recommend it unless you are an experienced hide/fur prepper.

[Borol_Bandit]

Thank you everybody we really appreciate the suggestions and info! Just to add a little insight on what we did: 9:15 am bull was killed and the last load which was the head and cape got back to the truck at 11:15 pm. Yes that is a long time but we were way back in a unit so it took awhile. Got to the cooler at 2 am and then was in the cooler for several days until he took it in to the taxidermist. Should we have taken a hose to the cape and sprayed it off really well?

[Borol_Bandit]

Don't have a cape, but I'd like to see a pic of your buddies 300" bull.     If he is good with you posting it.

Personal message me your cell number

[Sundance]

Thank you everybody we really appreciate the suggestions and info! Just to add a little insight on what we did: 9:15 am bull was killed and the last load which was the head and cape got back to the truck at 11:15 pm. Yes that is a long time but we were way back in a unit so it took awhile. Got to the cooler at 2 am and then was in the cooler for several days until he took it in to the taxidermist. Should we have taken a hose to the cape and sprayed it off really well?

Cleaning the dirt off won't do anything to help with hair slippage, it will just give you a clean cape. I wouldn't suggest washing it with water, if anything use a brush to clean the hair side of any mud or debris. Also, instead of a cooler you should have put the cape in a freezer. A cooler just suspends the decomposition process, it doesn't stop it. Bacteria will still grow at a slow rate in a cooler, when you freeze the cape it stops all decomposition. Fold the cape so the flesh side is on itself, if you fold the cape wrong the hair will freeze to the flesh side and the hair can get ripped out if the hide isn't fully thawed when they go to prep it. The only way I know of to preserve a cape/hide before it gets to a taxidermist/tannery is to freeze it or flesh it out, split the lips/eyes/ears and then salt it.

[bugs n bones]

I have one I’ll sell, it’s already tanned from the wildlife gallery

[Bullkllr]

I have a tanned cape I could be convinced to sell. It's "tubed" so there's no front or back neck seam.