We recommend these tips to all hunters who want the best-quality mount. The most common cape issues we encounter are cut armpits, short brisket, and insufficient cape length.

Cool is Key

Keep the cape as cool as possible, keep it on ice. Keeping the cape cool will help prevent bacteria/rotting, slippage, and a ruined cape. What you do now to keep your cape cool ensures a quality cape after the tanning process.

Our Preferred Caping Process

Shoulder Mount

Make a clean straight cut from the base of the skull down the spine to well behind the shoulders. Make a straight perpendicular cut around the animal leaving the armpits intact. Tube the legs above the knee. Leave the head in. We’ll take care of that important step when you bring in your trophy.

If you must cape the head and face, use caution to ensure that nostrils, lips, eyelids, and lacrimal glands are left intact. Also, ensure that the entire hide is removed intact from the pedicles and burrs.

Life-size Mount

If you want a life-size mount for a bear, we prefer a dorsal cut down the spine from the base of the skull to the hind quarters with the legs tubed.

Rugs

We prefer a cut up the belly and incisions down each leg. Be cautious to make all cuts consistent on each leg to provide a uniform layout of the rug.

Tans

Wall hangers are preferred tubed.

Additional Information

No Additional Fee for skinning/caping if we are mounting your trophy (we prefer it).

If your trophy is an early-season archery cape we prefer to have the cape tubed if at all possible.