self butchering and getting a deer mounted.

bigtim6656 · 09-23-2008, 06:24 PM

i want to get my first deer mount be it a doe or buck. But i also plan to butcher my own deer. What do i need to take into account to butcher my own deer and still be able to get a mount.Do i take the entire head to the taxidermist or what. or doi need to take a deer to a butcher i plan to mount

chazspot · 09-23-2008, 07:15 PM

If you do it yourself just make sure you leave plenty of cape with the head. I other words, don't just cut the head off at the shoulders. Cut the cape around the mid section, and then roll it up to the head. After that then cut the head off.

This will give the taxidermist plenty of cape to work with to make the mount you want.

My recommendation would be just take it to the taxidermist and have them do it. You may regret not doing so later.

bigtim6656 · 09-23-2008, 07:17 PM

when you said take it to the taxidermist and let them do it are you talking the head with the hide or taking the deer to a butcher.

Quote:

ORIGINAL: chazspot

If you do it yourself just make sure you leave plenty of cape with the head. I other words, don't just cut the head off at the shoulders. Cut the cape around the mid section, and then roll it up to the head. After that then cut the head off.

This will give the taxidermist plenty of cape to work with to make the mount you want.

My recommendation would be just take it to the taxidermist and have them do it. You may regret not doing so later.

nctaxi · 09-23-2008, 07:19 PM

go to my website www.nctaxidermist.com and look at the field care area. You can butcher your own deer but follow the advise there about skinning.

jimmy28303 · 09-23-2008, 07:19 PM

i agree, if your gonna do it yourself. take a knife and go all the way around the mid section. then pull the skin down to the knees. cut the skin about halfway up the leg to get it off the leg, then pull the skin as close to the ears as you can get it. within 3 or 4". then cut the head off. the head will not cut clean off. you will have to cut all the meat like if you were slitting its throat except you have to go all the way around so that your knife hits the spine. once you cut the meat through, then grab its head and start twisting till you pop the spine and the head falls off. you should end up with a head, half a neck, and a whole lot of skin

jimmy28303 · 09-23-2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: nctaxi

go to my website www.nctaxidermist.com and look at the field care area. You can butcher your own deer but follow the advise there about skinning.

at his website in Fig. 2A, 2B, and 3 show exactly what i was talking about in case my post was confusing

cls74 · 09-23-2008, 07:28 PM

First thing I would suggest is to find a taxidermist before season starts, or call a few different ones to see how they prefer it to be prepped for them. Being your first deer and future returning customer they may be willing to cape it from the deer for you, especially if they have finshed last years deer and it's still in the early season. I don't suggest an online tutorial to cape it yourself on a first deer you want to have mounted, practice on the rest of the deer later. Watch whoever does do it and see where they make thecuts for legs and such.

For a shoulder mount you never want to cut neckward from the base of the chest cavity/sternum while field dressing. What I did for my deer last year was took it to a processor and they caped it out for me to the base of the head, I then called the taxidermist that had been recommended and asked how he wanted me to preserve it for him. I sent the entire hide intact. Too much hide is never a bad thing. However it is to be done you have to get it cooled as soon as possible or the skin will start to slip and hair will start to release. Don't drag the deer with a rope around the neck or hang it from the neck. If it is antlered, try toclean the blood and dirt from them before it gets a chance to dry.

I hope you'll get better details from others, and good luck this season.

bigtim6656 · 09-23-2008, 08:05 PM

thanks guys and nctaxi that website is nice and helped alot. i will call the local tax i plan to use tomorrow and talk with him.

wis_bow_huntr · 09-24-2008, 05:22 AM

Most taxidermist will cape your mount out for you if youre getting him/her do the mount, usually free of charge to cape if taxidermist is mounting. Then you will have very little hide to remove from the deer before you start butchering. Ive never been good at caping, so I have my taxidermist do mine...

zubba · 09-24-2008, 07:21 AM

Listen to NCTAXI. I prefer the head be brought to me, and I will cape it out. When skinning your deer, once you get to the front shoulders, don't cut anymore. Just roll the skin down toward the neck similar to taking a sock off inside-out. When ready, just the head/neck off being sure not to cut the skin. Then just take the remaining head/neck plus the rolled up skin to the taxi. They can cut of what they don't need. I don't like when someone tries to cape the head themself...as they normally make a hole or two and leave more meat on then I prefer.