Ive learned from expereince...DO NOT drag your deer whatsoever. If there is no way possible of gettin an atv or truck to it, then drag it the shortest distance you can by hand. I drug my deer from my 4wheeler all the way back to the house, and the result was 1/2 the shoulder having real hort hair with bald spots from the gravel. I have no idea what i was thinking. You definitley want to pick out a taxidermist before hand. I would leave the skinning and caping out to them, but if they prefer you to do it, then be sure to leave an extra 4-6 inches then what you think will be used on the mount. Better safe than sorry. Good luck and good hunting.