How to Cape a Deer for Taxidermy: A StepbyStep Guide for Beginners

How to Cape a Deer for Taxidermy

To cape a deer for taxidermy, you will need a Havalon Knife for skinning, a portable saw to remove the skull plate with antlers, and follow specific cutting instructions.

Begin by making a complete circle around the middle rib of the deer, then make a second cut from the base of the ears down the dark line on the back of the neck.

Create a ring around the front legs, leaving skin from the knee up, being careful to avoid cutting through the armpit.

Leave the meat on the deer, not the hide, as meat holds heat that can spoil the cape.

Skinning the skull is the most challenging part, requiring a Y-shaped cut from the base of each antler back to a Y starting between the ears.

Pay attention to the eyes and remove the scent glands beside them.

Prepare the mouth by cutting the lip and gum and skin from the eyes to the nose.

When detaching the cape, cut the top skull plate where the antlers are attached.

Cool the cape quickly and keep it clean until it can be taken to a taxidermist or tightly wrapped and frozen.

Remember to follow key rules such as caping as soon as possible, avoiding placing the cape on the ground, and hanging it in a cool, dry area.

Do not slice up the legs, but tube them out instead.

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Recommended Tools For Skinning A Deer For Taxidermy

When it comes to caping a deer for taxidermy, having the right tools is essential. One of the most highly recommended tools for skinning is the Havalon Knife. These knives are known for their sharpness and precision, making them perfect for creating clean and accurate cuts. The sharp blade of a Havalon Knife ensures that the skinning process is done smoothly and efficiently, reducing the risk of tearing the hide. So, if you’re looking for a reliable knife for caping a deer, the Havalon Knife is the way to go.

Another tool that comes in handy during caping is a portable saw. This tool is particularly useful for cutting out the skull plate along with the antlers. A portable saw allows you to make precise cuts, ensuring that you remove the skull plate without damaging the antlers. It is important to exercise caution when using the saw to avoid any accidents or injuries.

• Havalon Knife: Known for sharpness and precision, perfect for clean and accurate cuts
• Portable saw: Useful for cutting out the skull plate along with the antlers, allows for precise cuts without damaging the antlers
• Exercise caution when using the saw to avoid accidents or injuries.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Caping A Deer

Caping a deer requires careful and precise cutting techniques. To begin, the first cut involves making a complete circle around the animal at the middle rib, starting and ending at the same point. This initial cut is crucial in creating a starting point for the rest of the caping process.

Next, make a second cut starting between the ears and going straight down the dark line on the back of the neck. This cut should meet the circle cut made previously. This second cut helps in separating the hide and preparing it for removal.

Once the back portion of the deer is cut, proceed to make a ring around the deer’s front legs, leaving the skin from the knee up. Avoid cutting through the middle of the armpit during this process. Taking extra care to make precise cuts ensures that the hide remains intact and free from any unnecessary tears or holes.

Moreover, it is important to note that when caping a deer for taxidermy, the emphasis should be on leaving the meat on the deer and not the hide. This is because meat holds heat, which can spoil the cape. Therefore, it is crucial to remove the hide carefully while leaving the meat intact.

• Make a complete circle around the animal at the middle rib, starting and ending at the same point.
• Make a second cut starting between the ears and going straight down the dark line on the back of the neck, meeting the circle cut.
• Make a ring around the deer’s front legs, leaving the skin from the knee up.
• Avoid cutting through the middle of the armpit during this process.

The Trickiest Part: Skinning The Skull

One of the trickiest parts of capping a deer for taxidermy is the process of skinning the skull. To begin, make a Y-shaped cut starting from the base of each antler and extending it back to a Y starting between the ears. This cut helps in separating the hide from the skull, allowing you to remove it during the next steps.

When skinning the skull, special attention should be given to the eyes, especially the back corner. Carefully cut next to the skull and not next to the skin to ensure a clean cut. This ensures that the hide remains intact and free from any unnecessary tears.

To skin around the eyes, start by cutting the skin underneath the deer’s eyelid and gently pull it away with your finger inside the eyelid. Additionally, remove the scent glands, known as preorbital glands, located in the front corner of the eye before continuing with the skinning process.

• Make a Y-shaped cut to separate the hide from the skull.
• Carefully cut next to the skull, not the skin, around the eyes to avoid tears.
• Remove the scent glands, known as preorbital glands, before continuing with the skinning process.

Proper Preparation For Skinning The Face And Mouth

Proper preparation is key when it comes to skinning the face and mouth of a deer for taxidermy. To begin, skin down to the corner of the mouth and then cut the lip, leaving about 3/4 inch attached to the cape. This ensures that there is enough lip attached to maintain the natural appearance of the deer.

Moreover, it is important to cut through the lip and gum on both the top and bottom jaw. This allows for easier mounting during the taxidermy process and ensures a smooth and seamless finish.

When skinning from the eyes to the nose, it is essential to skin along the bottom, taking the hide off the jaw. On the top, make a 90° cut into the cartilage about 1 1/2 inches up the face from the nose pad, down to the top jawbone, and peel it off. This method helps in removing the hide around the nose area without causing any damage.

• Skin down to the corner of the mouth
• Cut and leave about 3/4 inch lip attached to the cape
• Cut through the lip and gum on both the top and bottom jaw
• Skin along the bottom, removing the hide off the jaw
• Make a 90° cut into the cartilage about 1 1/2 inches up the face from the nose pad, down to the top jawbone, and peel it off

Detaching The Cape: Tips For Removing The Buck’s Skull

Once the caping process is complete, the next step involves detaching the cape from the buck’s skull. Instead of taking the whole skull, it is advised to cut the top skull plate where the antlers are attached. This small chunk, measuring the width of the deer’s head and approximately 6 inches long, is sufficient for taxidermy purposes.

Important Guidelines For Preserving And Transporting The Deer Cape

To ensure the preservation and safe transport of the deer cape, there are several guidelines that you should follow.

• Firstly, it is crucial to cool the cape quickly without drying it out. This process typically takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the temperature. Folding the cape until it cools and then rolling it up helps in preserving its condition.

• Keeping the cape clean and free from meat is vital. Once the cape is detached, it should be taken to a taxidermist as soon as possible. However, if immediate transportation is not possible, tightly wrapping the cape and freezing it will help maintain its quality, as it can stay good for a year or more.

• Key rules for caping a deer for taxidermy include doing it as soon as possible when the air temperature is above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or within 24 hours of the kill.

• Additionally, the deer cape should not be placed on the ground or a concrete floor; instead, it should be hung by the antlers until ready for transportation.

• The cape should be stored in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. If reaching the taxidermist is not feasible, freezing the deer cape is a suitable alternative.

• It is also important to note that slicing up the legs of the deer should be avoided, and instead, the legs should be tubed out to preserve the hide properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you preserve a deer cape for taxidermy?

To preserve a deer cape for taxidermy, it is crucial to take immediate steps after removing it. First and foremost, it is important to place the cape in a suitable container such as a freezer or cooler as soon as possible. This helps prevent bacterial growth and ensures the fur remains intact. Care must be taken to keep the cape dry during this process, as dampness can lead to bacterial growth and potential slippage. One effective method is to double bag the cape using trash bags, providing an extra layer of protection from moisture and maintaining its quality for taxidermy.

How long should you wait to cape a deer?

To ensure the best outcome for a deer head mount, it is critical to follow specific guidelines. When it comes to caping a deer, it is advisable to proceed as promptly as possible if the air temperatures are above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if the temperatures are lower, the caping process should be completed within 24 hours of the kill. Additionally, it is essential to prevent the deer cape from touching the ground or concrete floor to maintain its quality and integrity.

How long will a deer cape last?

A deer cape has the potential to last for a significant amount of time if stored properly. With a reliable freezer, a deer cape can endure for five years or more. This was validated through the tanning of two deer capes that had been frozen for six years, which ultimately remained in good condition. Therefore, it can be inferred that with proper storage and freezing techniques, a deer cape has the potential to last for an extended period.

How do taxidermy not decay?

Taxidermy remains preserved through the application of chemical preservatives to the skin. In the past, methods such as tanning with urine or bark high in tannins were employed. Today, taxidermists carefully dry the skin on a model of the original animal or on flat boards. Another technique utilized by some taxidermists is freeze drying. Through these preservation processes, the skin maintains its integrity, preventing decay and ensuring the longevity of the taxidermy art.