It is crucial that you properly preserve your trophy for the taxidermist. See below for basic tips, but please call us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. I am happy to help cape one, too.

Avoid
1. Once caped don’t leave sit out we don’t want hair slippage. Once blood stops flowing bacteria begin to take over eating hair follicles even at temps at 45 degrees. The hide needs to be froze solid. To put bacteria into dormant stage.
2. Do not put directly on ice or in water.
3. If you only have ice, make sure the bag is sealed so water can not get to the hide. This will cause slippage. 

Mammal Shoulder Mount
Make the first cut all the way around the animal, in a circle, behind the front legs. Make sure you have enough skin for the taxidermist to work with. It is better to cut too far back than to cut too far forward.

Make a cut on each leg all the way around a couple of inches below the elbow joint. For each front let, cut from the elbow joint to the circle cut in the midsection.

Next, loosen the skin all the way around the neck and pull and roll the skill all the way to the neck. Then cut the head from the neck. Put the head in a trash bag and put the head in your freezer and bring to us after calling.

Remember, skins for shoulder mounts CANNOT be cut in front or at the throat. Keep the harvest frozen and let CS Taxidermy take the skin from the skull.

Steps to Caping
1. Cut behind the front legs
2. Cut around the legs and to the midsection cut
3. Remove the skin up to the neck
4. Cut the head from the neck
5. Place the head in a trash bag and deliver or ship to CS Taxidermy. If you cannot deliver within 12 hours, the head and hide need to be placed in a bag in a freezer.
6. Let the professional handle the rest

Call or text with any questions or concerns at 260.213.3181. CS Taxidermy is happy to cape the deer for you, but must be done in a timely manner.

Caping Image Source: 1source.basspro.com/news-tips/taxidermy/7598/taxidermy-how-care-deer-you-plan-mount

• Always have appropriate tags with your trophies when you take them to your taxidermist. In most states however, the printed tag stays with the consumable meat, NOT the antlers or skin. All parts will need to bear according identification numbers.
• Do not cut off the ears for attachment.
• For situations where you are hunting with no available taxidermist or freezer, ask your taxidermist about techniques to skin out the entire cape (including the head) and salting the hide.
  
  Things to Know When You Arrive at CS Taxidermy
• Have your info ready for your taxidermist including: conformation number and hunting license number
• If you choose CS Taxidermy to skin your deer, bring trash bags to protect your meat to avoid additional charges.