Caping An Elk Shoulder Mount Caping Out a Deer

Elk shoulder mounts need good prep work. In case you get a good trophy down, know in advance how caping an elk should be done. It’s a little harder than caping a deer out because of sheer size, but it’s the same process. (There is a video of the process provide by Dax McCarty of Wagonhound Outfitters at the bottom of this page.)

Recent Articles

  1. Elk Nut (Paul Medel) Elk Communication Products Now Available

    Joe Carter's 2013 Bull 250
    “Elk Nut”, Paul Medel, has studied elk sounds for over 30 years. His products will help you have more “close encounters of the herd kind”. Available with free shipping on this site.

    Read More

The final results are dependent on what you give the taxidermist to work with, as well as his skills. In fact, he should charge more for a big game shoulder mount when he has to try to fix a poor caping job!

I admit it. I once cut a cape for an elk shoulder mount too short. Taxidermists say it happens all the time. I was offered someone elses cape on my rack, but it just wouldn’t have seemed the same, so I had the taxidermist do yet another European skull mount for me.

I took the time to learn how to cape an elk shoulder mount after that!  (It’s the same as how to cape a deer for a shoulder mount).  I want you to know, too, so you don’t have to be disappointed like so many successful hunters are every year, when they find out the hair "slipped" or the cape wasn't long enough.

First, A Few “Don’ts”

Do NOT slit the throat, or split the rib cage! You never need to cut the throat of a dead animal to “bleed it out”. When the heart has stopped, no bleeding occurs. That’s just an old myth. After you finish caping out your animal, then you can split the rib cage, if you aren’t doing the gutless field dressing method. You don’t want to cut any more than necessary for the taxidermist to have to sew up.

Don’t drag your animal. Dragging can easily poke holes in the hide or wear the hair off in spots.

Be careful not to nick the hide. Use a sharp knife and take your time.

Don’t let your cape sit in the sun. Air dry it a bit, then fold or roll it skin side to skin side (hair outside). Keep it cool, just like your meat. Don’t soak it in a stream to cool it, though. Moisture and heat will speed up bacterial growth and degradation, just as it will with your meat.

Don’t freeze it for a long period of time, unless the hide has been properly tanned. Get it to your taxidermist as soon as possible. Not next spring!

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Cut the hide starting just behind the ears, all the way to the tail. Try to follow the backbone, even if it curves due to the animal’s position on the ground. You can stop, if you want, behind the front shoulder, about the halfway point of the ribs. But you might as well keep going all the way to the back end, if you’re going to skin it out.

Always cut with the direction of hair growth, in order to avoiding cutting hair. Cut up from underneath the skin, to avoid cutting hair, too. If you cut hair, it can’t be part of your elk shoulder mount. It also can fall on your meat, tainting it with an undesirable (wild) flavor.

Step 2: About the middle of the ribs, well behind the front shoulder, slit the hide perpendicular to the previous cut to the center (bottom) of the animal’s chest. You’ll roll it over later and finish this circumference cut all the way around the animal. (See 2A)

Step 3: Cut the skin around the leg at the knee. You can cut down to and around that joint, then you can break the lower leg off. (No need for a saw.)

Step 4: Slit the hide along the back of the leg all the way from where it meets the chest to the knee joint. Then make a cut straight from there to the cut you made across the chest.

Step 5: Skin the hide away that will make up your elk shoulder mount. Skin it up all the way to the base of the skull.

Step 6: Take off the shoulder on that side and put it in a breathable game bag, or on something to keep it clean. If you are quartering your animal, you might as well finish that process on the first side before flipping it over. Elk are heavy to “flip” over. (See the skinning, field dressing, deboning and gutless field dressing pages.)

Step 7: Flip the animal over and prepare your elk shoulder mount (or deer, etc.) the same way on the other side.

Step 8: Skin the neck away from meat all the way to the base of the skull, to just behind the ears and under the jaw. Try to cut away as much meat and fat as possible from the inside of your cape, without cutting the hide.

Step 9: A few inches below the skull cut all the way around the neck into a joint of the vertebrae. Then twist the head off. (No saw required.) You might have to twist both directions until it all snaps free. (See Fig 3)

You could tube out the whole thing on a deer, but it's not worth the wrestling match to try on an elk. You could, however, tube skin the front legs instead of splitting the hide there. The less cuts made, the less sewing the taxidermist will have to do.

The Flip N Zip works great to split the hide. It also makes gutting an animal a breeze, if you can't do the gutless method.

Leave the Rest to the Taxidermist?

At this point, you can let the taxidermist do the rest. That is, if you can carry the weight and you can get it out of the field and into a cooler soon. Get it to the taxidermist as soon as possible.

If you need to save some weight, you can “finish cape” it, but that take some skill and care. If someone hasn’t shown you how to do it, at least stop behind the eyes, nose and ears. Nothing is needed from the skull, so you can saw that away to save weight. A Styrofoam form will replace the skull completely with an elk shoulder mount.

If you need to save some more weight, you can even split the skull between the antlers, but make sure your taxidermist gives you instructions in advance, according to what he wants.

If it will be a few days before you haul out the cape for the elk shoulder mount (or deer), then you need to salt it down using fine table or pickling salt (not rock salt and preferably non-iodized). An elk shoulder mount takes a lot of salt, so if you didn’t have horses, you won’t have the salt! A good size elk shoulder mount cape could take 40 or 50 pounds of salt to do a thorough job, salting three times.

If it is going to be several days, you will need to salt it at least twice, very thoroughly. Shake the first application of salt off after 24 hours and salt it again. You can use the same salt again, once it dries, if you can salvage it.

Roll, or fold up the cape and get it in the freezer or to your taxidermist as soon as possible. One taxidermist that I interviewed for this page told a story of a guy in Montana who put his elk shoulder mount cape in a trailer in his yard and covered it with snow. It was winter time, so he thought it would be fine. It was a complete loss.

Don’t put your cape in a plastic bag to haul, or store it. Use good quality, heavy duty game bags that will allow moisture to escape and keep the bugs off of it, just like you should do with your meat. (There is a video at the bottom of this page.


Additional Information

Here is another tip to improve the quality of your elk shoulder mount, or deer mount:

Take the following measurements after caping. Write them down for the taxidermist and tell him they were taken after caping. This will be the approximate measurements of the outside of the form he selects to put inside your cape. Use a flexible, soft fabric tape measure for this.
Measure:

  • ...from the tip of the nose to the front (inside) corner of the eye.
  • …from the tip of the nose to the back end of the skull.
  • …the circumference (girth) of the neck.

If you decide to split the rack, it will save you some money transporting it on a plane, since it won’t take up so much space. Make sure you take an inside measurement of the spread between the antlers to give to your taxidermist. (Don’t do this to a book record buck or bull.)

You can also ask the taxidermist to make the antlers removable from the shoulder mount. This will make it much easier to carry it upstairs and to fit through doors. You can’t tell by looking that they are removable.

If you follow these instructions your cape for your elk shoulder mount, or deer, etc., will provide a natural piece of art for your wall. For the rest of your life, every time you look at it, it will take you back to that short magic, wild moment in the woods and mountains! 


Video of Caping for an Elk Shoulder Mount




Please subscribe to or our Quick Elk Hunting Tips and Updates newsletter or to an RSS feed (see left column for both) to be alerted whenever new information is added to the site.

We'd appreciate it if you would "Like" us on Facebook, or share this site with others.

Go to the field dressing pages (gutting, gutless field dressing, deboning, etc.)

Go to the European Mount page from the Elk Shoulder Mount page.


New! Comments

Leave a comment in the box below.

Shop Our Store

Elk Tips Outdoor Gear Logo

406-431-0876

Newsletter Opt-in:
"I just get so excited talking about elk.." ~Tristan, CO



Search This Site Here:

Hunting Gear Reviews

ASAT Camo
ElkNut Outdoor Prod.
Bugling Bull Game Calls
HECS Stealthscreen
Montana Decoy
StringSling Bow Sling
Skull Hookers
Safari Sling Rifle Sling
Clip-Shot Mini Camera Mount

ASAT Camo

Free U.S. Shipping


Bugling Bull
Game Calls


ElkNut Productions

Free Shipping on
ElkNut Products Here


HECS Stealthscreen:
A New Type of Concealment!

HECS Stealthscreen

$199.99,
Including U.S. Shipping


Montana Decoy Elk/Deer
Available Here!

Montana Decoy

$59-$109.99 Free Shipping!


The StringSling:
Best Bow Sling Design!

String Sling Bow Sling

$29.95, Including U.S. Shipping


Clip-Shot: 1 oz. Camera Mount

$21.85 Free U.S. Shipping


Skull Hookers

Skull hooker

$34.99 & 59.99 Free U.S. Shipping!


The Safari Sling:
Best Rifle Sling Design!

Safari Sling Best Rifle Sling Available

$27.99 Free US Shipping


Share your elk hunting pictures and stories on our Facebook Page!

Go to Forums


Forum Topic Discussions:


How often should I use my cow call?, I am new to the sport of bow hunting elk and my question is how often should I use my cow calls?

295 yard kill with a Kimber Montana 325 WSM, by Don from Dallas: My ELk did not even twitch once. He was dead when he hit the ground.

325 WSM is worth considering, Palmer Lake,CO: I believe that the .325 WSM is the ultimate elk caliber...

30-30 for Elk? : I have a 30 30 with 170 grain round nose bullet. Will this work to shoot an elk ?

(More comments about Best Elk Rifle below)

Submissions

Unique Elk Talk by Idaho Steve (Hailey, Id ), In the middle of the night, a herd of elk came traveling through the drainage and right past my tent...

Smelly Elk Areas? by Jimmy (New Mexico), I've come across many areas that just stink of elk, literally. I have heard two somewhat contradictory stories...

DIY Gear List Must Have's! by Craig (Florida) "Here are some of the items I use on my DIY hunts in the CO backcountry..."

Elk and Deer Hunting and Mountain Bikes, by Skip Shepherd (Tucson, AZ)~ At 67 I am thinking a lot about investing in a mountain bike to get back into remote areas...


Solo archery hunting -- tips for calling/set up?, by Idaho Steve (Hailey, ID )~ I hunt by myself a lot...I'd love to hear your thoughts on strategic set-ups when solo hunting and calling.

Non- Lead Bullets for Elk?, by Dave, Elk Hunting Tips.Net (Garrison, MT)~ What do you ballistics guys think about the use of non-lead bullets for elk? According to this story...

Rage Broadheads by Chris, ...my buddy gave me a rage practice tip and when I shot it you could not pick out the broadhead from the field points. I was sold...

Recent Submissions:

Finally filled the freezer..., Colorado Rockies~ "I was bummed when I got to the property and no elk, nor any hoof prints in the snow. ...I pulled each of the elk into shade then started gutting..."


Wounded Veteran Elk hunts, by Joshua FL), I am a disabled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and have always dreamed of hunting elk. I am posting this to see if anyone would know of any elk hunts free to disabled vets....

First Elk with a Bow, by Ryan H. (Colorado), ...Finally after many years of hunting with a bow "I got er did"!

First Elk!, by Tater (Sheridan, Arkansas) I took the advice I received from this website and was successful…I wanted to Thank You and Your Forum and the folks that share on here for the knowledge and information that helped me find an elk I was quite happy with.


Questions

Any success in Unit 14?, by: Dave (MI), "I'm planning on doing a DIY in Unit 14 for 2012..."


Share Elk Hunting Secrets


Bugle in Herd bulls, by Swiltbank (Az) The key to calling in a herd bull is to get into his bedding grounds and threaten his herd. Start off sounding like…


Best Big Game Rifle?

Best Rifle Caliber?, by Buglemup (Superior, MT), "I've been reading what people have been writing about rifle calibers and here is what 16 years of guiding elk has taught me."

7mm Remington Magnum, by Dean (Helena, MT. USA) I use my Liberty Ruger M77, 7mm Rem. Mag. for antelope, deer, elk... Comment: "What do you guys think about the idea of hunting elk with a 270? I also know a guy who kills elk with a 243."


338 Marlin Express, "Light, fast shooting, hard hitting, manageable recoil, and for a lever gun - very accurate."


Guns I like for Elk, by Mountain Walker (Kootenays east B.C. Canada),"I think the gun you shoot Elk with should be one you shoot a lot with... "


.35 Remington, by Bill Smith "...my .35 Rem appears to have dropped a medium deer flawlessly, but I now have serious doubts as to its capability to take an elk."


Arizona Elk Hunting

Where to hunt in Az unit 3B?, by Cliffjumper (Tucson, Az) ~ I got a late bull muzzle loader hunt in Arizona unit 3b. Does anyone know how to hunt bulls in the late season?...

First time elk hunter hunting Arizona unit 6A , by Rob Marchio (Omaha, Ne)~ I'm a first time elk hunter hunting Arizona's unit 6A. I'm planning on staying in the Pine Grove campground...


Elk Hunting Colorado

Help needed for 1st DIY Hunt w/Son, by Patrick (Parker, CO), "I was looking for some advice on my 1st DIY hunt for 2014 in CO with my 13 yr old son. I have countless hrs going over stats, topo maps & Google Earth"

Elk Hunting Colorado in 2013, By William (Midland, TX) "I am planning an elk hunt next year in Colorado and I wanted to know if hunting Gunnison National Forest..."

Unit 60 Elk 4th Rifle Season Nov 13-17 Either Sex 2013, By Chester "...Any general advice about the unit would be appreciated!"


Idaho Elk Hunting


Elk Hunting Idaho Unit 8 8A 11, This is my first year seriously trying to track down some elk. Is there anyone that has hunted in any of these units and can give me some friendly advice? Mitchell, Moscow Idaho

Elk Hunting Pocatello by Cameron (Pocatello) Where is the best place to elk hunt around Pocatello, Idaho? I'm a student at ISU and I'm looking for somewhere around here to hunt next season.

How is the elk hunting in unit 30A in Idaho?, by Terry (Richland Center, WI) Has anyone archery elk hunted in unit 30A in Idaho? What can you tell me about the area?


Elk Hunting In Montana

Hunting in Western Montana, by Mike A. (Alabama)

I did not draw a tag for Missouri breaks where I have hunted in the past. Having to start over and try western Montana.


New Mexico Elk Hunting

New Mexico Unit 49, by Silas (Los Alamos, NM)

If anyone has tips on areas to start scouting, I'd really appreciate it.

First Elk Hunt First Elk Hunt, by Big "R" (NM)

I finally got drawn for a late elk hunt in Unit 28, north of Road 506 and south of the boundary line of the Lincoln National Forest...


Elk Hunting Nevada

Cow elk in Nevada's unit 222:

"Any good places known in unit 222?"

Northeast Nevada Early Elk hunt, by John (Carson City,NV)

"Any suggestions on what areas I may see some signs of elk?"


Questions from Novice Hunters

Retired USMC MSgt Needs Advice, by Ken Wing USMCRET (Bealeton, Va)


Big Game Recipes

Popcorn VenisonPopcorn Venison with Maple Syrup?

Elk or Venison Steaks Grilled to Perfection Here's how to turn them into steakhouse steaks!

Spice-Crusted Grilled Venison Roast Recipe This Spice-Crusted, Grilled Venison Roast recipe works great for any red meat roasts, including elk, deer or beef roast...

Corned Elk Recipe You can easily make corned venison and elk, moose or corned beef from these instructions...