Deer Mount

[JimT]

Hey Guys...

I got a descent buck in NC a couple years ago and did not get it mounted. I thought about it hard but decided not to. Now I wish I did. How many of you have had a mount done using a different cape? I am unsure how I feel about it. The walls here are full except for one spot. The one set aside for a whitetail. Thoughts?

Jim

[wtnhunt]

Welcome back Jim. Kill another deer this fall and use its cape, maybe? My oldest daughter's first deer was not found right away, and the yotes ended up making it beyond salvageable. I later on killed a deer about the same size as hers for a cape for hers.

[kudu88]

Deer Mount

Your taxidermist may have a spare cape laying around for sale

[whitetailfreak55]

I have one that isn't the name cape and it looks good with it

[fly]

There would be a lot of things for me to consider before making that decision. How important is it to have a full mount vs Texas mount and how unique was the original cape? I prefer the original cape and would likely get a Texas (European) mount kit that comes with the skull instead of getting a different cape. I assume you only have the antlers and skull piece that connects them.

Some taxidermists can make a fish mount from a picture. To me this is not the animal I caught and wouldn't want it. With a deer there is a decision each of us make where the mount is too much of a replication instead of a restoration. To me the cape is nearly as important as the antlers. Especially on one I took that has a double white patch under the chin. However, I'm not opposed to antler repair as long as it isn't replacing too much. Other people want the antlers exactly how it was harvested.

Finding a spare cape is easy - if your taxidermist doesn't have one now, he will come fall. If you're okay with it, just put in a request. Many don't even charge extra.

[Adjam5]

I would have no issue at all using a cape other than the one I harvested. Especially after the time frame you waited to mount the deer in. Unless as Fly has said. If it was a double throat patch...then...You would have mounted it to begin with.

Good Luck.

[JimT]

Ya, I called him back and he does have a cape ready to go that is around the same weight. The deer I shot had some scars and was very unique. I should have pulled the trigger at that time. Still up in the air on what to do.

[dbHunterNY]

if you've got trophy pictures or trail cam pictures then do a euro mount. attach that to a bigger plaque with one of the decent pictures mounted to it. use the same stain and wood as the plaque to make the picture frame. if the scares were that distinct then i wouldn't want another cape on it.

[wtnhunt]

Dunno for sure, would be a question to ask someone like Cliff or another taxidermist, but if you have pictures, it may be possible for the taxidermist to touch up the cape to match.

[stevebeilgard]

another cape would not bother me one little bit. go for it.