Immediately after harvesting your animal you will need to make arrangements to get it into cold storage. Please do not wash your cape or leave the animal unbagged in an ice chest floating in water. If you are having the animal processed, get it to the processing facility as soon as possible. Let the processor know you plan to have the animal mounted and to cut the hide long enough (particularly in the upper leg/brisket area) so you’re not limited to any specific pose. If it is to be mounted in more than a shoulder mount please inform the processor. Keep in mind that hides left in temperatures above freezing for hours are likely to “slip” the hair, deeming the cape unusable and a replacement purchased at the customers expense.
For shoulder mounts, the diagram above should be followed if you are processing at home. You can never send too much cape but you can definitely send too little! Please don’t hesitate to call with questions before caping the animal yourself. If your animal is in velvet, cape as directed and freeze the entire head as soon as possible.
For lifesize mammals, I recommend putting the unskinned and ungutted animal in a thick plastic trash bag and freeze immediately. Some species are more prone to slip, such as fox and cats - extra precautions should be taken. Please use caution when handling all your capes to ensure the best possible mount is achieved.
For birds, I suggest soaking paper towels in water and gently wrapping them around the feet and head. Lay the head on the back of the bird, wipe off any excess blood, smooth the feathers and neatly place it in a sealed plastic freezer bag or wrap with saran wrap. Feathers are delicate and need to be kept in place while protecting from freezer burn. For best results, turkeys need to be left whole and not debreasted.
Please see “Terms and Conditions“ for complete details regarding mishandled capes and skins.
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