How to Cape an Antelope

Mounting big game, for most hunters, is secondary to acquiring meat. For others, it's the primary reason to hunt big game. As a pronghorn, antelope require slightly different handling than other big game due to hair properties. Whether a priority or merely to commemorate a good hunt, caping an antelope immediately after it is downed is imperative to getting a good, clean mount. Temperature and geographic location affect the condition of the cape, but not as much as proper technique.

Things You'll Need

  • Tarp or large piece of heavy plastic
  • Sharp hunting knife
  • Bucket of water
  • Cooler
  • Ice
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the antelope on a plastic tarp or large piece of heavy weight plastic immediately after the animal is down, before attempting to move it. Dragging the animal, even just a few feet, can damage the hide, horns and other elements.

    • 2

      Place a bucket of clean water within arm's reach of the antelope. Hands and cutting tools need periodic rinsing to prevent blood from staining the antelope's hair.

    • 3

      Slit the hide along the spine from the base of the tail to a few inches behind the back of the skull. The cut need not be deep; only enough to penetrate the hide.

    • 4

      Lift each front leg and make an incision all the way around the leg. Be sure to select a spot below the shoulder, but above the knee joint. Circle the entire leg, almost like cutting the hide into a short-sleeve T-shirt.

    • 5

      Turn each leg so that the white underside is showing. Make an incision perpendicular to the first leg incision, continuing up the inside of the leg to the midsection.

    • 6

      Place the knife blade parallel to the inside leg incision. Turn a right angle to cut another incision around the barrel of the antelope's midsection. The front half of the hide, including head, shoulders and front legs, should now be completely separated from the rear section of the hide.

    • 7

      Peel the hide back and away from the body, all the way up to the head. Gently sever any fat or sinew that prevents the skin from separating from internal tissues.

    • 8

      Sever the spine just below the skull. Make sure the cape and head remain in one piece as it is separated from the rest of the body. Pack the cape with ice and place it in a cooler immediately.