Caping for a Shoulder Mount

Begin with cutting the hide around the body. 4-6 inches behind the leg should be adequate. Always error on the long side. It's better to have too much cape than not enough.

Next cut straight up the spine. Many animals have a dark line or longer hair for a landmark to cut along if the animal is in a difficult position while field dressing.

To cape the head - take the dorsal incision up to about 2 inches behind the horns  and cut a 45 degree angle to each horn. cut around the base of the horn to release the skin as you cape further. continue skinning toward the nose, cut the ear butts close to the skull and be careful not to cut the skin when it gets messy! When you get to the eyes, put a finger in the eye socket to better see the membranes you will cut and to keep eyelashes from being cut. Skin further to the corner of the mouth and, in the same fashion as the eyes, cut through to the mouth. As you go down the jaws cut the gum close to the bone and pay attention to the lips as not to cut them. Skin down the nose and sever it along the skull. turn the lips inside out by cutting the folded skin open from the inside. Also turn the ears inside out as well. The skin must be separated from the cartilage for salting. Leave the cartilage attached.

Salting: Remove excess fat and meat. Spread enough fine grain salt on every inch of the cape to cover it with a thin layer. Pay special attention to the lips, nose and ear area. Then bring the cape and horns to your taxidermist for tanning and mounting. Keep the cape clean, dry and cool and call me to drop it off or pick it up!

Caping for Rugs

Cut the middle of the belly and down the underside of each leg to the pad. Cut around the inside of the pad to expose the tendons and bones of the foot. These must be removed down to the claw! If you want me to take out the bones in the paws cut off the lower leg bones about 6 inches above the pads.  I strongly recommend this since taking the small bones out can be difficult but with patience can be done with little or no extra cuts in the foot.