Whats the process??

[HuntingFanatic]

I feel dum ( ) asking....but...... After you cape/ skin your deer, bear, coyote, bobcat etc...... what is the process for cooling it down...and how long do you have to take it to a taxidermist? I plan on killing at least 2 of these critters in the next couple of months so I just wanna know! I know it is a shot in the dark...but I thought there MIGHT be someone qualified to answer this question..... 

[fishnate]

depends on the weather the cooler it is the longer you have. I always just do it as soon as possible. 

[Michelle_Nelson]

Do you mean the best method of cooling it down in the field?

Soon as you get the hide off the critter open the hide up and lay it in the shade while you pack the meat out.  If your going to be out hunting a few days than put the cape on ice.  Keep the cape dry and out of the water in the bottom of the cooler. 

If the cape is in the freezer you can leave it in there for several months before taking it to the taxidermist.

What you don't want to do is leave it out of the freezer for 3 or 5 days before putting it in the freezer.


Now I get asked this question:  "But I am going to be in the back country for a week?  What if I shoot my animal on day #1."

You have 2 options in my opinion. 

#1.  You do the best you can at keeping it cool and dry.  After 6 days in the field you run a big risk of your cape slipping.

OR

#2.  You learn how to split and salt that hide/cape.  Just skinning it off the head with out fleshing, splitting the eye, ears, lips, and nose and than rubbling in a little salt is not going to do you any good.

[HuntingFanatic]

thanks michelle thats what I was looking for!