Getting a shoulder mount of the first buck I took on my place. Taxidermist's tannery is telling him the cape is "slipping" which means it's losing hair. Has anyone experienced this? What causes this? Options are to try to save it or use a different cape, any recs on this?

Don't have the knowledge to explain slipping.

I can tell you it wasn't uncommon for us to use the cape of an old cull buck for mounts we later decided to do when we had only kept the antlers. No one will know the difference if they match the color scheme of the cape.

I'd just be glad they are up front about it. Wouldn't shock me in the least if a lot of other places just replace it with one that looks similar and never say anything.

My understanding is that if it gets really wet , that can also cause slipping

Most taxidermist will have spare capes you can buy. Slip is typically due to improper field care of the cape (not keeping it cold or the cape getting wet). Did you have the cape directly on ice? Or in a bag that was put on ice? Or did you not put it on ice at all?

tlh3842 said:

---

Most likely cause is it didnt get cold quick enough or kept cold between caping and getting it to the taxidermist. I believe its a bacteria or something similar thats a result of warmth on the hide.

---

This is the main cause. Have to get the cape off and cold (freezer if possible) ASAP and delivered to taxidermist. Obviously protecting from moisture in the process.

Thanks for the replies. I took him straight from field dressing to the processor. Approx 3 hrs from kill to drop off. I picked him up from the processor 1 1/2 weeks after drop off and took him straight to the taxidermist (~15min drive). Never on ice to my knowledge. Processor was aware I was having him mounted as I paid extra for them to "prepare" the Cape as such.

1) keep your hide dry (do not spray it and put it in a trash bag)
2) keep your hide cold/frozen

Slipping happens all the time and it's generally the hunters fault. Some species of exotics have really thin hair and are more prone to slipping, especially certain times of the year (usually hotter months).

Your taxidermist should be able to locate a new hide for you but expect to pay $150-250 for it - unless your taxidermist has one of his own as a spare. You might be able to find someone on here or elsewhere you know that can get you a new one for "free" if the shoot a management buck or something they're not using the hide off of.

How was the cape/head when you picked it up? Frozen or just cold?

Agape91 said:

---

Thanks for the replies. I took him straight from field dressing to the processor. Approx 3 hrs from kill to drop off. I picked him up from the processor 1 1/2 weeks after drop off and took him straight to the taxidermist (~15min drive). Never on ice to my knowledge. Processor was aware I was having him mounted as I paid extra for them to "prepare" the Cape as such.

---

If you paid extra for the cape to be prepared when skinning then I'd be having a conversation with the processor about the issue.

This says it all.

I believe this is where it must have been mishandled. The cape was not frozen when I picked it up from the processor. Can't say if it was even cold. Replacement cape wouldn't be such a big deal except this is mount is more about what the deer meant. I almost wish they hadn't told me now.

Appreciate this insight. I'm in Tulsa area so prob will settle for buying one off taxidermist.