Field Guide
A few simple steps in the field can make a big difference in the quality of the mount you bring home.
First things first
Keep the cape as cool as possible—keep it on ice. Keeping the cape cool helps prevent bacteria, rotting, slippage, and a ruined cape. What you do now to keep your cape cool helps ensure a quality cape after the tanning process.
Our Preferred Caping Process
01
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 the nostrils, lips, eyelids, and lacrimal glands are left intact. Also, make sure the entire hide is removed intact from the pedicles and burrs.
02
For a life-size bear mount, we prefer a dorsal cut down the spine from the base of the skull to the hindquarters, with the legs tubed.
03
We prefer a cut up the belly with incisions down each leg. Be cautious to make all cuts consistent on each leg so the rug has a uniform layout.
04
Wall hangers are preferred tubed.
Additional Information
There is no additional fee for skinning or caping if we are mounting your trophy—we prefer to handle it ourselves. If your trophy is an early-season archery cape, we prefer to have the cape tubed if at all possible.
Have a question about a specific animal or cut? We're happy to talk it through before you head out.
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