Thread: Stag and Thar Cape weights

Originally Posted by Dorkus

I did an Alps trip last year and shot a nice stag. I reckon what I carried out was the best part of 30kg when wet (felt like double that)- It was a 14pt 300+DS stag and caped right back to the pizzle, but if you're going all that way to try and shoot a trophy public land stag then might as well be prepared to do it properly.

Side note:
First thing I did when I got back to civilisation (if you can call Greymouth that) was to call the taxidermist for advice on what next. He suggested head skinning (I didn't do that on the hill and we flew out next day) and putting in a chilly bin on ice. He said no need to salt it, and that would actually be worse for it than just keeping it cold. From memory stag was shot on a Tuesday (was very wet), flew out and head skinned on Wednesday then into chilly bin that day, with the taxidermist by late Friday night - Days might not be 100% accurate but it was something along those lines.

Thanks Dorkus, If I shoot a stag, I'm planning on head skinning in the field and taking just the antlers/skull cap to loose some weight on the pack out. As for salt vs keeping it cool, that will depend on the temperatures and how close we are to flying home(US). The salt is more of a contingency plan in case it is real warm or very early in the trip. I'm also well aware that ears, lips, and eyelids need to be turned/split before salting, or you are asking for trouble. If I was leaving it with a taxidermist in NZ, I would be less concerned with salt, but I need to get it back to the US.