Hunting Washington Forum
Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: Hillbilly270 on November 17, 2009, 10:10:52 PM
-
i was wondering if you absolutely had to freeze your cape if you want a mount. Can u leave the cape on the head and leave it in a walk in cooler for 3 or 4 days before taking it to a taxi? I heard the hair will start to pull if you do but i dont know for sure. :dunno:
-
when my dad shot his deer this year he left the cape on the head and put it in a large cooler on ice for 2 days before i brought it to the taxi. But it was pretty cold sitting on 10+ bags of ice
-Wildfire
-
The best thing to do is to make sure the deer is cooled down as quickly as possible prop open the mouth and spread open the cape. After it is cooled down then you can put it a game bag. The best thing to do is keep it cool. I have had deer come in a week later after it was shot and it was fine. It's all how its prepped in the field. There is so many variables but it should be fine.
-
4 days in a walk in cooler is about the limit. Even that amount of time makes me nervous. If that is the only this available to you than do what muleyhunter said. If your on an out of state or town hunt than as soon as you get to town you need to drop that thing off at the taxi's. DO go home and leave it hung up in the garage for a few more days.
-
I don't like to be a name dropper but I talked to Bruce Rittle on a few occasions and he told me once at a convention that a deer cape starts losing it's ability to properly accept a a tan if not fleshed and salted or frozen within 24 hours. :dunno:
Most experts will tell you that a walk in cooler is no substitute for freezing but is certainly better that keeping the cape a room temperature whatever that might be.
I would say that if you can find a walk in than you can find a freezer. if you cant find a freezer than than find a taxidermist that will be willing to cape and freeze until you travel home to your taxidermist of choice.
If you don't know how to cape a deer than buy the video.
most supply companies will have instructional videos n trophy field care.
just my :twocents:
