Stag and Thar Cape weights

Hey All,

I'm doing some planning for an upcoming trip to the South Island and have come up empty handed with any forum searches on this topic. If we're lucky enough to get something, I'm hoping to get an idea of what kind of weights we should expect for fresh(not dried) stag and thar capes with skull caps/antlers. The capes would be fleshed. I am referring to typical free range stags, not high fenced. My guess for stag cape + antlers is 35lbs(15.8kg), based off what I know about elk and whitetail. Is this a reasonable guess? I have no frame of reference for Thar weights, so I'm hoping for some help there. We'll likely be packing any trophies out on our backs and flying them home in checked luggage, hence the weight questions. Thanks for your help in advance.

Depends on the size of the animal and the bone (if its a stag). You might be a bit light by a few kg's I'd say.

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Originally Posted by Bos

Depends on the size of the animal and the bone (if its a stag). You might be a bit light by a few kg's I'd say.

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Thanks, that's good to know.

If you cape an animal right they shouldn't require much in the way of fleshing.
You may have to turn the ears and lips depending on how long you are away.
It doesn't take long for the hair to slip in those areas if you're not careful.
I would be more worried about carrying the right amount of salt[emoji16]

You should be taking well over 3/4 of the skin and on a big stag that can weigh well over 15kgs. Then skull cap and bone on top.





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Originally Posted by R93

If you cape an animal right they shouldn't require much in the way of fleshing.
You may have to turn the ears and lips depending on how long you are away.
It doesn't take long for the hair to slip in those areas if you're not careful.
I would be more worried about carrying the right amount of salt[emoji16

You should be taking well over 3/4 of the skin and on a big stag that can weigh well over 15kgs. Then skull cap and bone on top.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

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Yeah, that was my plan. Clean everything up well, turn ears, split lips, eyelids, then salt. I want to get them as dry as I can before flying home.

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.

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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.

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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.

@mallard833 I saw an article where some airlines are no now longer taking our trophies. Can't remember the full gist of it but it was after that Ceile lion shoot in Zim. Might pay to check. I'd hate to get back to the airport only to be told no sod off:(

Re - Tahr, if your'e planing on taking a full pelt ( they make a lovely floor mat ) then be prepared to carry plenty of weight out ( depending on season ) They weigh a friggen ton wet. I'd say be 20kg plus

I'll probably take just the cape/headskin and skull cap, but could change my mind. If so, that is good to know.