Deer Cape Question


jerdanmagic

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I made a post in the bow hunting room about a buck that I shot this weekend. As stated, I recovered the deer over 48 hours after I shot it and the cape was a complete loss. I plan on taking it to the taxidermist in the very near future to have a shoulder pedestal mount done. I know that a taxidermist can supply you with a cape in instances like this, but I'm a bit nervous that it may not look like the same deer that I shot. Are there any tips that you all have for replacement capes? Anything specific I should ask for? Things to stay away from? And also, how much can I expect to pay extra if there is a charge? Thanks!

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I had the same problem a few years back as coyotes ate him up pretty bad. Here is a pick.

487707-R1-014-5A-1.jpg

If you really need a cape someone on here can probably get you one if you pay shipping on it. I am not sure of the regs but I am sure I can get you a good cape during gun season. You find out if it alright to ship and I will get one for you from our deer camp if you pay for shipping.

later-

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I am not a taxidermist but have had some experience.....Your taxi man can get you one.....As for the cost I think it depends on the size of the cape...For example a big massive buck from Canada would cost more than a smaller stature deer from down south somewhere....

Now with that said I would take all the trail camera pictures you have to your taximan and hope and pray he can find something close.....But I really don't think he will have much say in what he gets. I think he will probably request/order based on size....

What would be really good would be for your local taximan to be able to get a cape from someone locally that is about the same size of your deer. Taxidermist around here often will do a euromount or a horn mount in trade for the cape or atleast give a discount.

OR if you have a buddy that gets a nice buck but doesn't want to mount then you could have his cape.....

Edited by toddyboman
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Expect to pay an additional $100.00 for a good cape. Could be less or more. It all depends on the quality of the cape. As far as matching it to the deer you shot, it may come close. The two most important measurements will be the length of the face and the neck.

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Expect to pay an additional $100.00 for a good cape. Could be less or more. It all depends on the quality of the cape. As far as matching it to the deer you shot, it may come close. The two most important measurements will be the length of the face and the neck.

Yep, what Cliff said, along with a few pictures of the original animal. With these blacktails, the mature bucks seem to vary quite a bit sometimes with different facial characteristics, such as really black crowns, as opposed to a very dark brown crown ringed in black, and different degrees of white or light grey on the face, plus maybe a few interesting old battle scars..

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The other thing you could do is go to a local meat processor. Tell them that you need a cape. You could probably get a good cape, and they will have a lot more experience at caping than your average guy. Also, you will probably get it a lot cheaper.

I shot a nice buck last year, but wanted to get a Euro mount. A buddy, needed a large buck cape. I told him if he would pay for the caping $20.00 he could have mine. Worked out well for every one.

Just an idea.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hello

I had to have a cape supplied by my taxidermist on my first mount as cape was damaged(alot of accidental cuts on brisket). We were young then and had very little experience with caping. Lets say this much I learned my lesson fast. My next to mounts I caped them out myself with NO friends helping and they were beautiful. I did have advice from my taxi. from first mount. My cape I got from taxi they hear was not in the greatest shape. Looks like deer may have had lice or rubbed it off thin around neck or hair just slipped from being unused in freezer for to long. I don't really know for sure but I plan on getting a better cape for it someday. I would recommend getting one from the meat lockers or local deer hunting groups in the gun seasons were you can visually inspect the cape. Best of luck you should find one no problem.

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The other thing you could do is go to a local meat processor. Tell them that you need a cape. You could probably get a good cape, and they will have a lot more experience at caping than your average guy. Also, you will probably get it a lot cheaper.

I shot a nice buck last year, but wanted to get a Euro mount. A buddy, needed a large buck cape. I told him if he would pay for the caping $20.00 he could have mine. Worked out well for every one.

Just an idea.

Thats what I was going to say I know people that have done the same, going to a local meat processor and getting a cap from a deer shot about the same time and general area maybe juat a smaller buck someone didn't want to mount and got a cap that way, good luck but it shouldn't be to hard to find one

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