The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Canadian Hunting Elk cape lost in taxidermist care. What now?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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| One of Us |
So as the subject stated, I have lost an elk cape. I harvested a bull on a cool overcast day with on and off light drizzle. We had the bull gutted in under 45 minuets and skinned out within 4 hours, the head was to the taxidermist within 11 hours. I contacted the taxidermist today to see if he had gotten it back from the tannery. He informed me the cape had slipped and didn’t know why. He did not blame me at all. He remembered me bringing it too him to ensure the cape would be good. He also remembered telling me the cape would be fine as I’m always concerned about slippage. He said he cooled it down properly before freezing. So none of the above really matters now. He is a reputable taxidermist located in my home province of Saskatchewan Canada. What is normal protocol? Too bad for me? He supplies a new cape? He supplies a cape of the same size? I never took any measurements, but the hanging wait at the butcher was 816lbs so a dam big elk. Or does he supply a similar cape and more? I’m gutted the cape is nearly just as important to me as the antlers are. I would never opt for a donor cape if I didn’t have too. I’m so glad I took the head home and euro mounted it my self as I’m not even sure if I want to do a shoulder mount now. I’m not happy about the cape slipping, but do understand that sometimes things happen. The one thing that adds to my extreme disappointment and anger is that I had contacted him a month ago via messenger asking about my cape. He saw that message but did not respond. Then I text him today and found this all out. If he would have contacted me in January or whenever he found out I probably wouldn’t be so upset. Regards A frustrated and disappointed Canadian Mulie | ||
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It happens; I lost a civet cat same way. Had a bit of slip on an antelope once but just a small inch circle on the back of the neck you can't see. | |||
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| One of Us |
So did the taxi do anything for you or just tough shit? | |||
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| one of us |
It was ruined when it came back from the tannery. I just chalked it up to "shit happens"...I certainly didn't expect my taxidermist to replace it. How could he? He has mounted a ton of stuff for me and without issue. Now if my brown bear comes back ruined, I might be upset... | |||
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Well this was only the second, so he’s only 50%. | |||
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| one of us |
Elk capes aren't usually hard to replace. Had to replace my BILs because we cut it too short. Shit happens in spite of one's best efforts. Lost a wolf that way. Grizz Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal. John E Pfeiffer, The Emergence of Man Those who can't skin, can hold a leg. Abraham Lincoln Only one war at a time. Abe Again. | |||
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Hell I used AR member 416Magnum,a.k.a. Ronald Newman from NJ to do my African animals in 2006. The S.O.B. took $2500 in deposits and skipped town with the money. Never got anything bt my cancelled check! | |||
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Well that is absolutely terrible. Sorry to hear that. I have come to terms that the cape is lost. I think I’ve come to an agreement with the taxidermist as well. CM | |||
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Excuse my slip his AR sign on was .416Widowmaker NOT 416magnum | |||
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Don't know about where YOU live, but I had an Elk cape go bad, and was able to replace it. Like you say, not the same, but no one else knows. Do a search on the net, and I'm thinking you'll find one. | |||
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| One of Us |
Sounds like an issue with the tannery. Taxidermist finds you a new cape. Works it out with the tannery to cover the loss. Maybe taxidermist takes the hit up front but is reimbursed by tannery with credit for other hides, etc... That sounds like the proper way that it should be handled. Might want to have them check to see if other capes had issues from that tannery around that time. | |||
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My son and I both took our mulies to a taxidermist for shoulder mounts. When we go them back, my cape was with my son's antlers and my antlers were with a completely different cape. When contacted, the taxidermist took both mounts back. He put my cape with my antlers and promised to find my son's cape. After about two months, the taxidermist called and said he couldn't find my son's cape. My son didn't want any other cape, so the taxidermist did a really good looking horn mount and didn't charge my son for it. He also gave me a big discount on two fish I had left with him. Mike | |||
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Capes come in from road kills at times. IF you wouldn't be so offended by such a replacement I'd bet he'd make a dandy mount and likely little charge. I had a big muley head an uncle killed in '46 that had rotted off. Held it for years til I shot a buck thinking of using the cape. Taxi said it's too small for that rack, i have a road kill where the horns were ruined the capes perfect. Swap you for $20" "hell yeah, do it". As perfect a mount as many of us have ever seen. Look fresh yet even though the racks 70 yrs old. George "Gun Control is NOT about Guns' "It's about Control!!" Join the NRA today!" LM: NRA, DAV, George L. Dwight | |||
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Elk capes are pretty easy to ruin as they have so much cold weather insulation for one thing, how well they are salted is better than how well frozen they are, immediate salt is your best bet and lots of it, don't stack it with other hides which is probably what happened to yours is my bet..Its best to prep your own stuff for shipping IMO..but I can see many ways for a hide to spoil and it does happen.. As to using another cape that works and size isn't a problem as long as it is a big bull cape. it will form to the form..Ive had to deal with this from time to time although I always told clients that dealing with the taxidermist was their business, I always refused to to do that for the very reason you describe, it'has to be between Client and taxidermist...I personally feel the taxidermist should arrange for a elk skin for you..Let him deal with his tanner.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Canadian Hunting Elk cape lost in taxidermist care. What now?
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