Freezer-Burnt Deer Cape: How to Salvage It

The deer cape includes the face and neck of the deer.

Many hunters enjoy showcasing their latest and greatest trophy deer, and the deer cape is the portion used for mounting. You can preserve the cape for some time in a freezer, particularly if you prepare it properly before being stored. If you removed a deer cape from your freezer and it has experienced freezer burn, you can take some steps to help salvage it. Some freezer burn can be too severe to be salvageable, however, so proper preparation is always key.

Things You'll Need

• Ultra soft relaxer
• Lukewarm water
• Large container

Instructions

1. Fill a large container with lukewarm water. Add two tablespoons of ultra soft relaxer for each gallon of water and stir to dissolve. You can purchase ultra soft relaxer at a taxidermist shop or on the Internet.

2. Place the freezer-burnt deer cape in the solution. Allow to soak for 12 hours.

3. Remove the cape from the solution and lay out to dry. Take or send the deer cape to your taxidermist to have it mounted.

References

• Hurricane Creek Taxidermy: Caping Your Deer for a Shoulder Mount