Deer Cape Care in the Rain

[Grousehunter19]

Everything that I have read on deer cape care says to keep the cape dry. If you are hunting in the rain and shoot a deer should you try to dry the deer cape out? Or just through it in the cooler/freezer wet?

[dvolmer]

Water is your enemy because it can cause bacteria to grow and build up and that will cause hair slippage.  But if you can freeze it wet or dry you will be ok until you get it to your taxidermist because no bacteria will grow when frozen. If you cant freeze it then keeping it the most cool that you can is the best you can do. Open it up and spread it out so air can get into it. My taxidermist tells me to have a spray can of Lysol disinfectant if there could be a problem and spray that lightly on the inside part of the cape to keep the bacteria from growing. 

[boneaddict]

Just dont soak it in a plastic garbage bag.   Get it aired out, get it cool.   It will be fine

[Grousehunter19]

Ok thanks for the help. I was concerned the extra ice crystals from the rain water might cause damage to the hide in the freezer.