How To Cape A Deer: A Step-by-Step Guide with Diagrams

Introduction

Why Caping Matters

The pursuit of harvesting a deer is a deeply rewarding experience, a culmination of patience, skill, and respect for nature. But the hunt doesn’t end when you’ve taken your deer. Preserving the memory of this achievement, and the majestic beauty of the animal, often involves taxidermy. A crucial, and often overlooked, aspect of taxidermy is properly caping a deer. This meticulous process involves carefully removing the hide from the animal, particularly the head and shoulders, to create a “cape” that the taxidermist will use to mount the trophy. A poorly executed cape can ruin an otherwise fantastic taxidermy project, making the understanding of how to cape a deer a vital skill for any hunter looking to preserve their trophy. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach, complemented by helpful diagrams, to ensure you can cape your deer with confidence and achieve the best possible outcome.

Consequences of Poor Caping

The success of any taxidermy mount hinges on the quality of the cape. This is the section of the hide, including the head and often extending down the shoulders, that will be preserved and used to form the visible portion of the mounted deer. Improper caping can lead to a variety of problems, including:

Damage to the Hide: Nicks, tears, and uneven cuts can render the cape unusable or result in unsightly blemishes on the finished mount.
Poor Fit: If the cape is not cut correctly, it won’t fit properly on the form, leading to wrinkles, gaps, or an unnatural appearance.
Hair Slip: Hair slip occurs when the hair follicles detach from the skin, a common problem caused by poor handling, improper storage, or contamination. This can ruin the cape, rendering the taxidermy project impossible.
Unsightly Appearance: Even small mistakes, such as cutting too close to the antler bases or the eye sockets, can result in a mount that doesn’t look its best.

Therefore, taking the time to learn how to cape a deer properly is an investment in preserving your trophy and ensuring a professional-quality final product. This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.

Essential Equipment: Preparing for the Task

Before you even begin, it’s crucial to gather the right tools. Having the correct equipment, and knowing how to use it, significantly improves the quality of your work and increases your chances of a successful cape.

Knife Skills

A Sharp Knife: This is the most critical tool. A dedicated skinning knife, designed for this purpose, is recommended. Alternatively, a caping knife, with a smaller blade and a pointed tip, is excellent for precision work around the head. The key is to have a blade that is exceptionally sharp. Invest in a quality knife and learn to sharpen it properly, preferably with a strop, before you begin. Dull knives are dangerous and increase the likelihood of cutting through the hide.
Strop: A leather strop is essential for maintaining the sharpness of your knife. Strops, often used with stropping compounds, help hone the blade to a razor-sharp edge, allowing for clean and precise cuts.

Safety and Cleaning

Protective Gloves: Wearing gloves is highly recommended for hygiene and to improve grip, particularly when your hands might be wet. Nitrile or rubber gloves are effective. Consider surgical gloves for fine detail work.
Clean Workspace: Find a clean, stable surface to work on. This could be a dedicated cutting board, a clean table, or the bed of your truck. Ensure good lighting to clearly see your work.

Other Useful Tools

Scissors: Heavy-duty scissors can be very useful, especially for certain details, such as trimming around the ears or removing the lips.
Rags or Paper Towels: You’ll need plenty of these to keep the work area clean and to wipe the knife blade.
Optional Equipment: A measuring tape, plastic bags or containers to store the cape, and a game cleaning station can improve the process.

Working Carefully: Safety First

Caping a deer involves sharp knives, and respect for safety is paramount. Always cut away from your body. Work slowly and deliberately, especially when near the head and face. If you are tired or distracted, take a break. The quality of the cape is dependent on the care, precision, and patience with which you approach it.

Getting Ready: Positioning and Examination

Proper preparation is key to success.

Initial Actions

Field Dressing Overview: While not directly part of caping, proper field dressing is a necessary first step. Remove the entrails promptly to prevent spoilage and bacteria contamination, which can negatively affect the cape.
Positioning the Deer: The best position for caping depends on the size and the conditions. For a large buck, on a flat surface, position the deer on its back, with the head extended toward you. This allows easy access to the dorsal cut and the leg cuts. Elevating the animal slightly can make the work easier on your back. If space is restricted or the deer is smaller, you might cape on its side.
Hide Inspection: Before you begin cutting, carefully examine the hide for any damage, such as bullet holes, punctures, or abrasions. Document any imperfections, as the taxidermist needs to know about them. Carefully assess the location of any damage to minimize its effect on the final mount.

The Caping Process: Step by Step

With your equipment ready and the deer properly positioned, let’s proceed with the caping process. Each step requires meticulous attention to detail. Diagrams, described below, will help visualize the cuts.

Making the Initial Dorsal Cut

Begin the process with the critical dorsal cut.

Starting Point: Starting from the base of the skull, make a straight incision along the spine. Use a sharp knife and be careful not to cut deep. Aim to cut only through the skin, not the meat underneath.
Continue the Cut: Extend this cut all the way down the back of the neck to the shoulders.
Diagram A: The Initial Dorsal Cut. This diagram illustrates the starting point of the cut along the spine, extending from the base of the skull down to the shoulders.

Making Cuts on the Legs

These cuts allow you to separate the hide from the legs.

Inside Leg Incisions: Make an incision on the inside of each leg, from the foot to the belly.
Front Leg and Armpit Detachment: When you reach the front legs, make your cut around the legs and the armpits.
Diagram B: Leg Cuts. Shows the incisions on the inside of the legs, and around the legs. Pay special attention to avoiding any damage to the underlying meat or bones.

Separating the Hide from the Body

The aim is to separate the hide from the carcass.

Freeing the Hide: Starting from the dorsal cut and the leg incisions, carefully begin separating the hide from the underlying meat.
Cutting Deep: Use your fingers or the blade of your knife. If you are cutting across an area with muscles, make the necessary cuts. You are aiming to separate the hide.
Diagram C: Separation from the Body. Shows how to work the hide off the body, using both your knife and your hands.

Separating the Head

Carefully detach the hide from the head.

Head Cut: At the base of the skull, around the neck, continue to separate the hide, ensuring you have cut all the way around the base of the skull.
Final Cut: Carefully cut the hide from the neck. You will be working from the dorsal cut from step 1.
Diagram D: Head Separation. Shows the cut line around the skull, and then extending down to the hide to separate the head.

The Face and Lip Cuts

This stage requires precision, paying close attention to detail to avoid damaging any features.

Lip Separation: Make a cut inside the lip, between the lip and the teeth. Using a sharp knife is paramount.
Eye Separation: Cut around each eye. Keep the cut close to the eye and be extremely careful.
Diagram E: Face and Lip Cuts. This diagram depicts the key cuts around the lips and eyes.

Working Around the Ears and Nose

This demands patience and a steady hand.

Ear Cuts: Carefully cut around each ear, separating the hide from the ear cartilage.
Diagram F: Ear Cut Diagram. Shows the necessary cuts to work around the ears.
Nose Cartilage: Carefully remove the cartilage from the nose, being cautious not to damage the hide. This is delicate work.
Diagram G: Nose Cartilage Removal. The steps for removing the nose cartilages.

Turning the Lips, Eyes, and Ears

This involves turning the skin to remove as much tissue as possible.

Turning the Lips: Carefully turn the lips inside out. This exposes the inner surface.
Turning the Eyes: Turn the skin from the eye sockets, removing as much tissue as possible.
Turning the Ears: Carefully turn the ears inside out.
Diagram H: Detail Cuts of the Face. This image depicts these final, detail cuts, and shows the finished result, the cape.

Salting the Cape: Preparing for Storage

Once the cape has been removed, it’s vital to salt it immediately.

Salting is Essential: Salting is essential to draw out moisture and prevent bacteria growth, which can cause hair slip and decomposition.
Applying the Salt: Generously apply a layer of non-iodized salt to the flesh side of the cape. Rub the salt into the skin, ensuring it gets into all crevices, including the ears and lips.
Diagram I: Salting the Cape. This diagram shows how to salt the cape. Every surface should be covered.

Storage: Preserving Your Trophy

Proper storage until the cape can be delivered to a taxidermist is essential to prevent spoilage.

Rolling the Cape: After salting, fold the cape carefully. It should not be in a position to dry flat.
Storing the Cape: Place the folded cape in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration is ideal, but a cool, shaded area will work. Avoid placing the cape in a sealed container, as this can promote bacterial growth. Freezing is an option, and can be helpful to preserve the cape until it can be taken to the taxidermist.
Diagram J: Storing the Cape. This shows the proper way to store a caped deer.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Cutting Too Deep: This is the most common mistake. Always focus on cutting only through the skin.
Dull Knife: A dull knife leads to ragged cuts and increased risk of injury. Sharpen your knife frequently.
Rushing: Take your time and work methodically.
Careless Handling: Avoid stretching or pulling the hide excessively, as this can tear the skin.
Improper Salting: Insufficient salting is a recipe for disaster. Ensure all parts of the flesh side are thoroughly salted.

Post-Caping Care and Transportation

Before transporting the cape to a taxidermist, make sure the cape is safely stored. Make arrangements to transport the cape. Deliver your deer cape as soon as possible to a taxidermist. Proper handling and care will ensure a beautiful and lasting trophy.

Conclusion

The ability to cape a deer is more than just a skill—it is a crucial step in preserving a valuable memory and a testament to your hunting success. By diligently following these steps and utilizing the included diagrams, you’ll increase your chances of achieving a top-quality taxidermy mount. Remember that practice makes perfect. Seek guidance from experienced hunters or taxidermists for additional insights.

Disclaimer

This guide is designed to provide general instructions and should not be considered a substitute for professional taxidermy services. Always prioritize safety when handling sharp tools. The author is not responsible for any injuries or outcomes resulting from the use of this guide.