Photo: Dave Graber says there’s no need to split the entire neck of your buck when removing the cape. A small Y cut is MUCH better.
Next time you shoot a buck you’d like to mount, but plan to cape (remove the skin from the skull) and freeze for later, do your taxidermist a favor.
Don’t split the skin all the way up the back of the neck. There’s a much better way to cape your buck. It’s the Y cut.
It’s called a Y cut because the incisions are shaped like a Y.
It’s just as effective as splitting the entire neck and will make a better mount because it requires your taxidermist use about 80 percent fewer stitches, and there is no long incision to patch.
First, use a knife or scalpel to cut around the circumferences of the antler bases. Make sure to get as close to the antler as possible at the burr line.
From the back of the burrs, make slit incisions that come together to form a V at the base of the skull plate.
From the tip of the V, make about a 2- or 3-inch incision downward to form the Y.
Use a scalpel or razor blade to carefully skin the cape from around the burrs, face and neck. Slice the ear cartilage at the base of the ears.
Be extremely careful around the tear ducts of the eyes and the tip of the nose, where your taxidermist would have difficulty patching a mistake. Take your time.
You many need a big flathead screwdriver to pry tough skin away from the burrs.
Once the skin is removed, you can easily slide the skull and antlers out through the small Y. Now you can saw the antlers and skullcap off and rub the brain cavity and bone with Borax.
The cape is ready to roll up and freeze, but make sure to roll up the ears inside to prevent freezer burn.
— Editor’s Note by Tim H. Martin
Taxidermists will love Dave’s Y cut tip! It’s a caping technique all outfitters, guides, skinners — anyone who capes deer — should learn. It makes everyone’s life easier.
Having grown up in the taxidermist community, I know how much they hate having to sew up a neck split all the way down the back, especially when it’s so unnecessary.
But you might not be good with a scalpel, or fear hacking up your cape. I highly recommend taking your fresh buck by a local taxidermist and having them cape it for you, even if you don’t plan on mounting it soon. They can usually do it in about 10 to 15 minutes.
The taxidermist might charge you a few dollars, but if you promise to give them the business, they would probably cape it for free.
Some taxidermists will actually knock off the price of a mount if you bring them a cape that has the Y cut.
The sooner you cape your trophy, the easier it will be to remove the skin. If you have to wait overnight, wipe it down with Windex to kill bacteria that will cause hair slippage.
Remember, the faster you act within the first few hours, the better your prized mount will hold up over the years.
— Photo Courtesy of Dave Graber
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