How I Cape for a Shoulder Mount

[Hunting Cowboy]

The method I use when caping for a shoulder Mount

There are 3 circumference incisions
1. Around the girth of the body
2. Around the left leg at the knee
3. Around the right leg at the knee

There are 3 straight incisions
1. Up the back of each front leg.
2. Straight back to the body girth cut from the elbow.
3. Straight down the spine from the base of the neck

Skin or peel everything up to the head

Remove the head at the base of the skull at the Atlas joint

After removing the cape and head
1. Lay the cape out, hair side down in a cool area out of direct sunlight.
2. After cooled, fold the cape on itself, flesh to flesh and roll it up hair side out.
3. Place the cape in a game bag (not a plastic bag)
4. As soon as possible, get the cape into a freezer.
5. Let your taxidermist salt the cape. Salting should only be done after the cape has been removed from the skull, completely fleshed and the lips, eye lids, tear ducts, nostrils and ears have been turned.

Essential
1. Keep the cape clean and free of debris
2. Remove large chunks of meat.
3. Leave plenty of cape. More is better!
4. Unless you are proficient at removing the skin from the skull and face, leave the head in and let your taxidermist take care of removing the face and head skin.

[Born2late]

I have skinned a lot of animals and am very proficient at it. I have always skinned them off the head. The only thing I do different is I tube skin the legs. Takes a hair longer but it allows the taxidermist to make that cut perfect .if you want to learn to be able to cape animals properly I always suggest to learn to kill coyotes or raccoons and practice on them. That way when it comes time to cut the big buck or bull you want mounted you will be confident on how to do it. It’s different cutting it on the ground in the woods versus hanging in your garage..

[teanawayslayer]

I’ve done them both ways. Tube the leg and cut to elbow. The last one I did the tube on a bighorn sheep. Traded the cape for a European. Also went to a different taxi than normal. This taxi preferred cutting to the elbow. As long as you don’t cut it short the taxi can deal with it.

[ASHQUACK]

I always tell guys it's easier for a taxidermist to cut off excess hide than it is to try and find a new cape or shorten a form to fit. And tubing front legs is kind of a pain but in the end it makes a better cape and the taxidermist can do their thing.

[HereDuckyDucky]

I always tell guys it's easier for a taxidermist to cut off excess hide than it is to try and find a new cape or shorten a form to fit. And tubing front legs is kind of a pain but in the end it makes a better cape and the taxidermist can do their thing.

Couldn't agree more. Circumference mid-body (why wouldn't you?), and tube the legs (not that hard).

RW

[Hunting Cowboy]

Yes HereDuckyDucky, for sure do what works for you. Do whatever your Taxidermist recommends. This is the method I personally use to cape my animals. It may help that I also do my own taxidermy. HC

[HntnFsh]

It looks like you do an incredible job. That bull looks amazing!

[HereDuckyDucky]

It looks like you do an incredible job. That bull looks amazing!

Agreed! Beautiful work!

RW

[Pathfinder101]

Pretty cool man-cave there