Taxidermy Question ASAP. Thanks!

[solocam_aggie]

Glad you made this thread Hunter! I'm heading out on the 6th for my draw hunt. I've been pondering this for quite some time now. Even with two people, I figured it would be really difficult in rugged terrain. I'll be splitting mine if it becomes too big of a hassel.

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[bphillips]

hmmmm sure hope Mr Huffaker can make my sheep look half decent since it was split up the back and actually caped while we were on a mountainside haha.

FYI skinning and rolling up to the head isn't caping. If that is all you do and you can't get to a taxidermist quick you're gambling with your cape

[Shurshot]

Need better LDP’s !


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[TildenHunter]

hmmmm sure hope Mr Huffaker can make my sheep look half decent since it was split up the back and actually caped while we were on a mountainside haha.



FYI skinning and rolling up to the head isn't caping. If that is all you do and you can't get to a taxidermist quick you're gambling with your cape

I got to a taxi quick....


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[bphillips]

I got to a taxi quick....


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I figured you probably did

[Raypo]

Now I’m confused for over 30 years I’ve used 2 methods; the first is the tube like method and the only cut is the circular cut around the body. This is used when I can hang the animal and I deliver the head still caped to the taxi. The 2nd method is always a cut straight up the spine and then a y cut to cape out the head. This is used when a pack job is necessary. My taxi has always praised my cape jobs and especially with my fleshed out capes. In all seriousness is this not the preferred method? I will also add on a auodad with the mohawk type of hairline it is my understanding that is tough to sew it straight if cut. Is this correct?

[Texastaxi]

Now I’m confused for over 30 years I’ve used 2 methods; the first is the tube like method and the only cut is the circular cut around the body. This is used when I can hang the animal and I deliver the head still caped to the taxi. The 2nd method is always a cut straight up the spine and then a y cut to cape out the head. This is used when a pack job is necessary. My taxi has always praised my cape jobs and especially with my fleshed out capes. In all seriousness is this not the preferred method? I will also add on a auodad with the mohawk type of hairline it is my understanding that is tough to sew it straight if cut. Is this correct?

Any animal that has a mane is hard to sew if it's split right up the center of the mane. It seems like it would be easier, but it's not. If you cut up the spine, to cape a maned animal, always cut just to one side of the mane. In this case, the OP wanted a wall pedestal. If he knew which way he wanted it turned ahead of time, the cut should be on the back side. So if it was a right turn, the ram's left shoulder would be against the wall, so you'd cut on the left side of the mane.

Also, taking the skin off the animal, down to the neck is just skinning. Taking the skin completely off the skull is caping.

Ray, it sounds like you've caped more than one animal. Most hunters would have no idea where to start and shouldn't attempt caping a head without someone showing them. If I could get enough interest, I'd do a caping demo for people in the Houston area. It's a great skill to have in your bag.

[Raypo]

Any animal that has a mane is hard to sew if it's split right up the center of the mane. It seems like it would be easier, but it's not. If you cut up the spine, to cape a maned animal, always cut just to one side of the mane. In this case, the OP wanted a wall pedestal. If he knew which way he wanted it turned ahead of time, the cut should be on the back side. So if it was a right turn, the ram's left shoulder would be against the wall, so you'd cut on the left side of the mane.

Also, taking the skin off the animal, down to the neck is just skinning. Taking the skin completely off the skull is caping.

Ray, it sounds like you've caped more than one animal. Most hunters would have no idea where to start and shouldn't attempt caping a head without someone showing them. If I could get enough interest, I'd do a caping demo for people in the Houston area. It's a great skill to have in your bag.

We could probably create an entire category - Animal and Cape Care. A library of instructional video varying from backpack Alaska care to Texas. I’d love it!

[TildenHunter]

Any animal that has a mane is hard to sew if it's split right up the center of the mane. It seems like it would be easier, but it's not. If you cut up the spine, to cape a maned animal, always cut just to one side of the mane. In this case, the OP wanted a wall pedestal. If he knew which way he wanted it turned ahead of time, the cut should be on the back side. So if it was a right turn, the ram's left shoulder would be against the wall, so you'd cut on the left side of the mane.

Also, taking the skin off the animal, down to the neck is just skinning. Taking the skin completely off the skull is caping.

Ray, it sounds like you've caped more than one animal. Most hunters would have no idea where to start and shouldn't attempt caping a head without someone showing them. If I could get enough interest, I'd do a caping demo for people in the Houston area. It's a great skill to have in your bag.

Thank you for this response. This is exactly what I did. Time was an issue and it was literally impossible to tube it out by myself in the location that he died. I figured I knew where he was going to be mounted and had a spot picked out so I made my cut accordingly. I had no idea an aoudad cape was as thick as it is. That **** thing was like cutting through a brick. Thanks again!

[marshhunter]

Heck of a Ram! Congrats!
This also turned into a pretty informative thread! Thanks to those that posted.

Texastaxi, a deom on caping would be awesome!