Because it's important to us that your mount is the masterpiece that it deserves to be, it is important that you follow these instructions. Proper field care is essential to the quality of your finished mount.  
Caping the head should be done by your taxidermist if possible.  Get the head and cape to your taxidermist as soon as possible.
 

If you are caping the animal yourself, follow these steps:

• DO NOT CUT THE THROAT.
• Do not cut the brisket in front of the legs, cut 8" behind, do not cut through the armpits.
• 6"-8" behind the front legs, cut completely around the animal. DO NOT cut the cape too short! (see pictures below)
• Cut around the knees and cut the inside of legs to meet your first cut.
• Cut from first cut up the middle of the neck stopping at the base of the skull.
• Make a "Y" cut from antlers/horns to center of neck.
• Skin around antlers/horns.
• When skinning the face, stay as close to the bone as possible. Be extremely careful around the eyes, orbitals, nose and lips.

IMPORTANT - DO NOT CUT THE CAPE TOO SHORT!
 
If you are in doubt, it is always best to cape further down the back
and past the brisket to the stomach area.  Short capes can result in
the expense of an additional cape to replace the one that is too
short.  It can also result in additional expense due to alterations
needed to salvage the mount.

Also be careful and take your time so you don't make unnecessary
cuts (2nd picture) that will need to be repaired.

Lifesize/Rugs:

Field Prep for Lifesize / Rugs:

Start incision 6" from the end of the chin and continue to cut straight down the underside of the animal to the end of the tail. Split the legs open so the cuts will be symmetrical. This is VERY important in rugs.

DO NOT:

• STORE IN A PLASTIC BAG OR AIRTIGHT CONTAINER. Freeze in burlap bag if possible.
• Don't drag the cape.