Here' s a question that I need some ideas on.

In 2002 I shot a 10 pointer that I roughed scored at 130 that is absolutely beautiful. It only had 1 1/2" of deductions.

Anyways, I wasn' t able to bring the cape home because it was way too warm and when I got home I had no storage for it. I came home on a Sunday and left town that night for business.

So, I' ve mounted the antlers on a nice piece of wood and got a brass engraved plate for it.

It really is beautiful and I' m kicking myself that I didn' t bring it to a taxidermist. I am fairly certain that any cape could be used (say from this year' s hunt ), but the main question I have is if I do this, will I look at the mount and always know that it isn' t the true cape.

If I spend all this money and I' m not happy, what' s the point?

Anybody else tried it? What do you think when you look at it?

Thanks,

Mike

I did the same thing with my 1st buck-a decent 6pt that I just sawed the antlers off.I regretted not getting it mounted and a buddy said just use another cape.I told him it wouldn' t be the same.

When they mount the buck they cut the antlers off and work with the cape. I don' t see how it would look bad if you used another cape. The only thing would be if you used a small doe or something. It might look strange but then again, it might make your rack look HUGE.

I have a buddy who has a big rack from a few years ago and is looking around for a cape this year. If he does it I' ll post a pic of how it turned out.

If your asking if it' ll mean as much to you with a different cape, only you can answer that. If your asking if it' ll look right, yes, if done correctly, it will look the same as any other mount. The key will be to get a cape from a similar age deer with similar bases. Replacing a cape from a 5 1/2 year old deer with a cape from a 2 1/2 year old deer won' t seem quite right when you look at it on the wall, since you' ll be able to picture how the deer looked in you mind. The facial structure just isn' t the same. Take it to a quality taxidermist and they can get just the right cape for you, but it won' t be free.

Hay double pleasure when you look at it. two bangs with One mount!!!!!!!!!!

it all depends on how " you look at it" .the mt. will be just as good,if you think you want like it;don' t waste you money.because you want like it if you are thinking it already.

when I did taxi. work,I put horns on different capes all the time,for different reasond,scars,shot holes,cuts and a lot more.it you look at it in the way of you took both bucks,then it is " your" trophy.

you are the one to make the decision.good luck with making it. Me;it would not bother me at all.

I agree with the others. You are really the only one that can make that decision. It wouldn' t bother me either. I know my taxidermist uses different capes alot as well. Some are just too rough to fool with, some the people didn' t take enough care for and the hair slipped, etc. He gets some from a local butcher shop, and also, he can order capes from somewhere for a decent price(if he needs one that he just can' t find around here: ie: a big northern deer, etc).

If you do it, make sure that the cape used is from the same time of year that you took yours. In other words, don' t use an early year cape on a buck taken in November. At least where I live, they really bulk up in late fall and are very dark in color.

If I were you, and honestly wanted it mounted, I' d go for it.......