MCTAXIDERMY.COM
TIPS TO INSURE A GOOD SHOULDER MOUNT
Getting a great trophy mount may not be possible if immediate and proper field care is not taken!
Limit dragging the animal as much as possible, especially on the shoulder-head area. Dragging can make it impossible to do a good mount. If it must be dragged, wrap the upper body in a tarp or jacket and drag it by the horns. Do not put a rope/chain/cable around the neck!
Cape it as soon as possible.
Some processors will cape it for you.
Animals start to deteriorate as soon as they die.
The deterioration gets worse with time, especially if it is warm.
It is best to get it caped and frozen as soon as possible.
Keep it as cool as possible until, and after, it has been caped.
Waiting too long could ruin the possibility of getting a good trophy mount!
HOW TO CAPE (Skin) FOR SHOULDER MOUNT
TIPS TO INSURE A GOOD SHOULDER MOUNT
Getting a great trophy mount may not be possible if immediate and proper field care is not taken!
Limit dragging the animal as much as possible, especially on the shoulder-head area. Dragging can make it impossible to do a good mount. If it must be dragged, wrap the upper body in a tarp or jacket and drag it by the horns. Do not put a rope/chain/cable around the neck!
Cape it as soon as possible.
Some processors will cape it for you.
Animals start to deteriorate as soon as they die.
The deterioration gets worse with time, especially if it is warm.
It is best to get it caped and frozen as soon as possible.
Keep it as cool as possible until, and after, it has been caped.
Waiting too long could ruin the possibility of getting a good trophy mount!
HOW TO CAPE (Skin) FOR SHOULDER MOUNT
Cut 1: Cut all the way around well behind the shoulders so extra hide is available if needed.
Cuts 2 & 3: Cut from the first cut to down the back of the legs and then cut around the legs.
Cuts 2 & 3: Cut from the first cut to down the back of the legs and then cut around the legs.
Skinning: Skin from the first cut pulling the skin toward the head in one piece to just before the head. Do not try to take the skin off the head.
Head Removal: Use a saw to cut through the spine just behind the head after the hide is skinned beyond the cut point. Do not cut through the hide. The rest of the neck can then be cut off with a knife.
Keep head and hide cold until delivered to taxidermist.
Head Removal: Use a saw to cut through the spine just behind the head after the hide is skinned beyond the cut point. Do not cut through the hide. The rest of the neck can then be cut off with a knife.
Keep head and hide cold until delivered to taxidermist.
Good video for caping:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USbQrh0hArU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USbQrh0hArU
