I had a friend archery shoot a big buck early one morning and about 40 degrees. It was poorly hit and was found alive after 5 hours and was finished off when it was about 50 degrees. He was cleaned and in a cold walkin within a couple hours and it was about 60 then.
The taxidermist has reported his tanner said the cape is ruined(hair slipping). The reason the tanner gave was the poorly hit deer likely got a very high fever and that coupled with the outdoor temps was enough. The tanner said that it was very common on poorly hit deer. The tanner went so far as to say "a poorly hit deer rarely makes it out of the tanning process".
This taxidermist is a trusted and quality guy but I dont know the tanner.
I feel like the deer was handled fine and I feel its a real stretch that fever from a poor shot could cause that damage.
Im a little inexperienced with this particular scenario cause I gun hunt and almost all my deer die quickly and are recovered and dealt with quickly.
What do yall think?????

I've never heard of it. And I've guided dozens and dozens of deer hunters, many of whom made poor shots. All mounts came out fine.


I've never, ever heard of that....sounds like the tanner was making an excuse for a error or poor tanning job.

go with your gut, Tanner or taxi messed up

3 for 3 on opinions so far. But please dont let our opinions taint yours. If you feel differently about this I would like to know.

Ive hung capes on a fence in 40-60 degree weather for almost two days and they didnt slip.

End of the day, caps gone and needs a new one. I gave all my capes away from last year or Id give you one

Calling BS on the tanner excuse. Never heard of this before.
All I know is DO NOT salt a hide that has not been fleshed, you'll cook the fat and tissue onto the hide. If you don't know what your doing just fold the skin sides together hair out, roll up and freeze till you get it to someone who knows.

Same, I’ve had capes in 60 degree weather for 1-2 days (in the shade) and they were fine.

Taxi or tanner dropped ball and is deflecting.....

At some point after the drop off, the cape was mishandled and this is where the problem occurred. Our capes stay warmer in early season that what you describe and they all do fine.

Thanks for the comments guys. I think thats about 7-0 that the hunter did no wrong. I just want to give the other side the benefit of the doubt so I encourage anyone with a different opinion to speak up.
I know the cape is gone and no one is crying over spilt milk. My purpose with the thread is just educational. I want myself, guys I know and anyone on here to know how to handle a similar situation. Everyone has different opinions on just how quickly an animal needs to be cared for and everyone thinks sooner is better. I just dont want guys going overboard on how quick to get to a cooler. I for sure dont want guys to rush to track an arrow shot deer because they think the hide may ruin if they wait.

The biggest thing I try to teach to my friends is how to cape out the head, that way, there is no questions around cape storage.

although I totally agree with what others have stated, when I used to do heavy varmint hunting, later in season on warmer years, the fur was starting to slip before season was over even during cooler times. When was this deer shot?

PMK, the time and temps of shot I posted so I guess you are asking what time of year..? Jan 11.