Salting a Cape in the Backcountry

[steve]

What is the absolute minimum (weight wise) of salt that I can get away with salting a sheep cape for a shoulder mount? I will turn the lips and ears.

[gunslinger]

What is the absolute minimum (weight wise) of salt that I can get away with salting a sheep cape for a shoulder mount? I will turn the lips and ears.


steve take 1 pound of salt, if ur deep in there it is a necessity and i pound aint gonna make a huge difference , and if u already are experience sheep hunter then you know that you already have dropped many pounds out of the pack anyway. good luck this year

[Tundra Monkey]

If you're gonna get out within a couple or 4 days after you kill it I wouldn't worry about salt. Clean it up as bet you can and you can put it under rocks/bury it/ sink it in a bag....whatever it takes. Keep it cool as best you can and don't worry about it :cool:

tm

[Sheepcrazyguy]

I take a 5lb bag with me. The way I see it is it's better to use too much than have the hair slip. I use the whole 5lbs when I salt a cape.I salt it down let it sit for a day rolled up,flesh side in,then unroll it let it drain and resalt it, roll it up again,drain it and the let it dry good the second time. The more you dry it out the less weight to pack out. How many sheep are you gonna shoot in your lifetime?

[Tundra Monkey]

How many sheep are you gonna shoot in your lifetime?

One a year :D

tm

[sheephunter]

What is the absolute minimum (weight wise) of salt that I can get away with salting a sheep cape for a shoulder mount? I will turn the lips and ears.

You can get away with three pounds but five is better.

[sheepguide]

If you're gonna get out within a couple or 4 days after you kill it I wouldn't worry about salt. Clean it up as bet you can and you can put it under rocks/bury it/ sink it in a bag....whatever it takes. Keep it cool as best you can and don't worry about it :cool:

tm

I would not take this chance as I have had to help a buddy look for a new sheep cape after a bear got his and i know how hard and expensive it is to find a new cape. Take every effort possible with your cape. As sheephunter said the more the better. If your going through all the effort to get out and get a ram take the time and energy to take care of it. JMO

[Tundra Monkey]

I agree with what you're saying but I don't think that you run much risk if you can get out within 4 days and it's not ridiculously hot out. If you're stationary and waiting for a pick up it is easily kept cool. Long pack outs if you keep it cool at night and bury it in the pack on the way out it'll keep IMO.

Just on a side note.....whatya think a lifesized cape of a dall is worth???

My next mount I want doesn't need a cape and I've thought about selling to offset the cost of the hunt.

tm

[sheephunter]

I worry most about the eyes and ears and I think getting salt on them quickly is critical, especially if it's hot out. If I'm out for more than a day, I always carry some salt. I've seen too many capes have hair slip because of improper handling.

[Tundra Monkey]

So how do you care for your meat on these trips after you've saved the cape?

tm

[sheephunter]

Get it boned out and cooled quickly and then try to keep it cool. Some guys submerge meat in water to keep it cool but from the research I've done, you are inviting bacteria growth by doing this. Usually it's cool enough at night that you can get the meat cooled down well and then it will stay cool in your pack during the day.

[LongDraw]

The key to saving a cape is the hide prep. If you get it down to the white with everything turned and split you need very little salt to draw the moisture out. Guys make the mistake of laying it in the sun, leaving flesh and fat on the skin, drying by the fire, not turning/splitting everything 100% and thinking that more salt will take care of this. A couple hours of prep to get it 100% and you can get away with less salt. I carry a 1L nalgene bottle of salt that is maybe 2lbs? and that is ample salt for a sheep cape.

[Tundra Monkey]

Same thing we do.....and the same way I treat the cape.

Do you not think that the cape will be fine after 4 days in this scenario?

After a week I'd be worried.....but more about the meat :cry:

I don't buy titanium cookware so I can carry 5lbs of salt for a week but that's just me :lol:

I'll stand by what I said and that if you can get out in a reasonable timeline you stand little or no risk of losing your cape with a little care and effort.

Any thoughts on what a cape would be worth? I figure there has got to be some guy out there that is tired of looking at a yellow sheep or someone who has their GS and wants to have them all done in full mounts or something like that.

tm

PS..Hack 8"s off the end of a broomstick and it is a great tool for doing the ears.

[sheephunter]

Meat will last far longer than a cape. It doesn't take much for hair to slip, especially around the eyes and ears. As LD pointed out, proper caping is the key but salt is a must in my eyes. You can't compare how long meat will last compared to a cape. You can hang meat for weeks without it spoiling but I wouldn't do that with a cape. You aren't worried about an entire cape rotting, just hair slipping in a couple key areas and this can happen in hours. I buy the titanium cookware just so I can carry that salt. For most people, a sheep is a once in a lifetime trophy and few pounds of salt seems small price to pay to ensure a good cape.

[LongDraw]

I have found the best way to get and keep meat cool in the backcountry is to bag it and find a mossy north slope and pull the moss back and bury it in the day and leave the bags out at night. This gets it and keeps it meat locker cool.
I have also double/triple bagged meat and kept it in a creek partially submerged (shady side of the bank) with OK results, but I prefer the out of water method as water always seems to find its way into the bag.

[LongDraw]

PS..Hack 8"s off the end of a broomstick and it is a great tool for doing the ears.

Try a teaspoon. I carry one to eat my granola with anyhow.

[Tundra Monkey]

[QUOTE=sheephunter;339730] You can hang meat for weeks without it spoiling but I wouldn't do that with a cape. QUOTE]

Not in the heat you can't.

I've never had issues with capes slipping and definately not after hours......or even days for that matter. I guess it's a concern of yours but I've never had any issues with it.

No guesstimates on what a cape is "worth" out there.......priceless to the sheep ;)

tm

[Tundra Monkey]

Try a teaspoon. I carry one to eat my granola with anyhow.

Thanx for the tip. I bought a titanium tool/spoon for my stove (happy Father's Day to me :D).....should do the trick.....never thought of the spoon before. Do you mix the ear wax in with your oatmeal or do you clean it off first :lol:

tm

[LongDraw]

Do you mix the ear wax in with your oatmeal or do you clean it off first :lol:
tm

Turn the ears after breakfast!

[209x50]

Hmmm, my sheep capes have both got frozen to the skull before I could cape them out, it takes a day in the garage too thaw them enough to cape them. What am I doing wrong? LOL

[Tundra Monkey]

[QUOTE=LongDraw]

Turn the ears after breakfast!

:lol: :lol:

sheep for lunch and dinner.....no need for the spoon. Well planned :D

tm

[Tundra Monkey]

LOL 2009x50

We got hammered by snow last year pretty hard so we wimped out and are going in on July 17th this year......I mean we sucked it up and are gonna go in and battle the bugs this year :scared:

Should be fun that early.....no grizz tag this year......they don't open up till the middle of August.....she's sheep only this year.

tm

[sheephunter]

Hmmm, my sheep capes have both got frozen to the skull before I could cape them out, it takes a day in the garage too thaw them enough to cape them. What am I doing wrong? LOL

Quit putting in for those November draws....give the rest of us a chance. Figures though, the only year that you can't apply and I can't either.:cry:

[gunslinger]

The key to saving a cape is the hide prep. If you get it down to the white with everything turned and split you need very little salt to draw the moisture out. Guys make the mistake of laying it in the sun, leaving flesh and fat on the skin, drying by the fire, not turning/splitting everything 100% and thinking that more salt will take care of this. A couple hours of prep to get it 100% and you can get away with less salt. I carry a 1L nalgene bottle of salt that is maybe 2lbs? and that is ample salt for a sheep cape.

exactly why u only need a pound or two, but of course if you can pack it take more, the better you cape and turn the less salt u need. get er clean and turn the lips and done deal. but if i could drop a couple pounds more out of my pack i woudl subsuidise with a pound of salt. one thing for sure u dont ever pack it out.

[Sheepcrazyguy]

[QUOTE=sheephunter;339730] You can hang meat for weeks without it spoiling but I wouldn't do that with a cape. QUOTE]

Not in the heat you can't.

I've never had issues with capes slipping and definately not after hours......or even days for that matter. I guess it's a concern of yours but I've never had any issues with it.

No guesstimates on what a cape is "worth" out there.......priceless to the sheep ;)

tm

I was offered 1000$ for a cape from this years bighorn and about 6 years ago the same amount for the full cape of a bighorn. I turned them both down.
i guess I should have added in my first post that I turn the ears, split the lips and do a really good job of fleshing out the cape before I salt it. I'd rather have too much salt to pack in than a wasted cape after I pack it out.

[Tundra Monkey]

Thanx SheepCrazy :wave:

We hunt them every year (dalls) because Momma loves the meat :D

She's not such a big fan of the mounts but she lets me keep a few around. I saw a post on here a year or so ago that mentioned an old packframe with a hide and horns on it......that's what I plan to do with him unless he's a 40 or makes book......then me and the ol' Minister of Finance and me are gonna have to talk :rolleye2:

I figure that it would look good with a Hudsons Bay blanket rolled up underneath the horns.....hopefully she'll see the "artistry" in that.

My taxidermist seems to think that it would not be a tough to sell but I'll let you know a little later in the year......hopefully....well....hopefully not..ahhhhh, you know what I mean.

Thanx again,

tm

[Frans]

Salt!... Crap, forgot about that. Guess I just found a way to substitute the 2 1/2 pounds I gained by getting a new rifle.

Frans

[sheephunter]

You get out and shoot that A7 yet? What cal?

[Frans]

Haven't shot it yet... it's a .270Win. No Short and no Mag, just the old fashioned Win. Stainless. Got a 2.5-8x36 VX-3 Leupold on it, with Talley Lightweights. Just put it all together a few days ago. Weighs 7 lbs on the nose (however my wife's bathroom scale goes up in increments of 200 grams... so I reckon it could be between 3.1 and 3.3 kg; 3.2 kg = 7 lbs).

But I gone and cracked me a rib and sprained a wrist smacking into the asphalt while roller skiing. Might give it a try anyway on the weekend. The cracked rib and sprained wrist are on the left and I shoot righthanded! ;-)

Need to buy ammo first though.

Frans

[whitetailsheds]

saw a post on here a year or so ago that mentioned an old packframe with a hide and horns on it......
tm

Wow, that sounds neat...was there photos of this?

Got away with 2 - 500 ml plastic water bottles of salt for a sheep cape last year. A third would do it, don't know what the weight of this amount is.

[Tundra Monkey]

Hey Whitetailsheds,

I'm sure there was pics because I'm definately not able to come up with stuff like that on my own :o

I looked around a bit and couldn't find it.....maybe someone else can chime in if they recall it.....I'll look again.

tm

[sheephunter]

I have one but Noel did one that was way nicer.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h44/sheephunterab/Ramonpack.jpg

[Sheepcrazyguy]

Thanx SheepCrazy :wave:

We hunt them every year (dalls) because Momma loves the meat :D

She's not such a big fan of the mounts but she lets me keep a few around. I saw a post on here a year or so ago that mentioned an old packframe with a hide and horns on it......that's what I plan to do with him unless he's a 40 or makes book......then me and the ol' Minister of Finance and me are gonna have to talk :rolleye2:

I figure that it would look good with a Hudsons Bay blanket rolled up underneath the horns.....hopefully she'll see the "artistry" in that.

My taxidermist seems to think that it would not be a tough to sell but I'll let you know a little later in the year......hopefully....well....hopefully not..ahhhhh, you know what I mean.

Thanx again,

tm

Your welcome, your idea sounds pretty nice. I'd like to see some pictures if you get it done. If you want to know where I got the offers from send me a PM.

[Tundra Monkey]

Thanx for posting that Sheephunter.....that was the one that I remember.

I'll send pics of the whole event if it works out Sheepcrazy....I'll hold off on the offers until I get er' done. I shouldn't count my chickens just yet :lol:

Still feeling pretty humble about getting our rears handed to us last year. Gotta love Mother Nature......she is "THE Man" for sure.

tm

[sheepguide]

Im thinking that if anyone is worried about a couple pounds of salt you better just stay home as you will be really screwed with all the meat, cape and horns from a sheep.

[albertadave]

Im thinking that if anyone is worried about a couple pounds of salt you better just stay home as you will be really screwed with all the meat, cape and horns from a sheep.

LOL, that's the truth:lol:

[steve]

Thanks guys,

I will start filling up some diffrerent size water bottles and see what works best.



On a different note...

Out of curiosity. What are your pack weights for a 10 day hike in hunt?

I have been sitting around 68 lbs. I will list some of the heavier stuff...

-1.5-2 Litres of water
-Tikka T3 lite- Leupold 3.5x10
-15 .270 shells
-Swarovski 20x60 HD- Leuplold tripod
-10 Mountain House dinners
-18 packs of oatmeal
-Titanium Sunpeak 1 L pot
- MSR pocket Rocket stove- 1 small cannister of fuel
- Leatherman Skeletool
- Knives of Alsaka caping knife

[sheephunter]

I'm usually right around 55-60 pounds sans rifle and video gear. That includes my own tent and SLR camera. If you go with a buddy and can share some stuff like a spotting scope, stove etc, getting down to 50 pounds is possible. Throw a pound or two of extra treats like cheese, crackers and dried sausage in your pack for a 10 day hunt as you will need some variety after five or six days. Be sure to have a good sleeping pad and good rain gear as well and a paperback book is weight well carried on a long hunt. Are you sure a canister of fuel is enough for 10 days?

[steve]

Im thinking that if anyone is worried about a couple pounds of salt you better just stay home as you will be really screwed with all the meat, cape and horns from a sheep.

I have paid thousands of dollars for all the lightest gear availble, I'm not about to jam 10lbs of salt into my pack if I only need 3lbs.

Not everyone on here has 20 head of horses and 15 packsaddles sitting in the barn. :D

[sheepguide]

I have paid thousands of dollars for all the lightest gear availble, I'm not about to jam 10lbs of salt into my pack if I only need 3lbs.

Not everyone on here has 20 head of horses and 15 packsaddles sitting in the barn. :D

LOL im not sure who mentioned 10lbs but im sure I said a couple. And I have back packed my fair share so I relize you need to go light. but if some one is man enough to back pack in after a bighorn they better give the trophy the respect it deserves by taking care of it. Sure MAYBE it will make it 3 or 4 days with out salt but why take the chance. Id feel pretty stupid looking up at my horns on the wall with someone elses cape wrapped around them just because i was scared of a couple extra pounds in my pack. JMO

[Tundra Monkey]

Im thinking that if anyone is worried about a couple pounds of salt you better just stay home as you will be really screwed with all the meat, cape and horns from a sheep.

Well maybe I will just stay home :lol:

I go over pretty carefully what I need in my pack and I don't carry what I don't feel I need.

Maybe when I grow up big and strong like you and Delburne Dave I can show off my internet muscles and mouth off to people I've never met :confused:

tm

PS. Welcome to the forum Sheepguide. I can't believe it's been a month already.

[steve]

I'm usually right around 55-60 pounds sans rifle and video gear. That includes my own tent and SLR camera. If you go with a buddy and can share some stuff like a spotting scope, stove etc, getting down to 50 pounds is possible. Throw a pound or two of extra treats like cheese, crackers and dried sausage in your pack for a 10 day hunt as you will need some variety after five or six days. Be sure to have a good sleeping pad and good rain gear as well and a paperback book is weight well carried on a long hunt. Are you sure a canister of fuel is enough for 10 days?

Sheep I think you viewed my post from the wrong way a little bit, I have done the 10 day trips already. I was just curious what guys were getting for a final pack weight.

I cook over the fire after dark every night if I'm below treeline. And only use the fuel/stove to boil water for oatmeal in the morning or supper above treeline. So that way I can get 10 days out of a small cannister, usually with a bit left over.

I a going to look closely a my gear again since your 10lbs lighter with camera gear. And I'm not carrying camera gear...

[steve]

LOL im not sure who mentioned 10lbs but im sure I said a couple. And I have back packed my fair share so I relize you need to go light. but if some one is man enough to back pack in after a bighorn they better give the trophy the respect it deserves by taking care of it. Sure MAYBE it will make it 3 or 4 days with out salt but why take the chance. Id feel pretty stupid looking up at my horns on the wall with someone elses cape wrapped around them just because i was scared of a couple extra pounds in my pack. JMO

It would look pretty stupid with my horns on the wall with some one elses cape around it. THAT WHY IM ASKING how mush salt to bring in to properly care for it. Without bring a whole bunch extra....

[Tundra Monkey]

if some one is man enough to back pack in after a bighorn they better give the trophy the respect it deserves by taking care of it.

Haven't lost one yet :D

One day I'll be "man" enough to go bighorn hunting. Till then I'll just play with the girls and their dalls. :lol:

tm

[sheephunter]

Sheep I think you viewed my post from the wrong way a little bit, I have done the 10 day trips already. I was just curious what guys were getting for a final pack weight.

I cook over the fire after dark every night if I'm below treeline. And only use the fuel/stove to boil water for oatmeal in the morning or supper above treeline. So that way I can get 10 days out of a small cannister, usually with a bit left over.

I a going to look closely a my gear again since your 10lbs lighter with camera gear. And I'm not carrying camera gear...

If your 68 pounds is including rifle, then were are very close. The weight I quoted was without rifle and video gear. I know guys that can get down to 45 pounds without a rifle but I like a bit more luxury.

[steve]

If your 68 pounds is including rifle, then were are very close.

You bet Sheep, thats with a rifle.

I was wondering wtf am I carrying thats 10lbs heavier than him with camera gear.... :lol:

[packhuntr]

I carry 2 30 oz'ers of fuel for the XGK EX. If youve ever attempted to rely on wood for fuel to pick up the slack abit rather than carrying the fuel, you probuably have had to eat with cold water like I have. Doesnt make for very good eating. We rained an entire hunt afew years back. It didnt stop for 8 days. Nothing was dry and you couldnt have started an emergency fire to save your life, supposing a guy had to. Bad idea attempting to lighten up by sacrificing fuel. I will never do it again.:lol:

[sheepguide]

guess a couple extra pounds is a touchy subject. Its good to hear you havent had an issue with slipage Tundra. Im just partial to taking the extra precations. We take out 18 stone sheep hunts every year and the capes are usually flown out the next day if possible but every one is salted and cared for A.S.A.P.. I give my 2 cents as my opinion. You can take it or leave it. And im sure you will leave it, but seems like the majority of guys on here are packing salt.

[sheepguide]

It would look pretty stupid with my horns on the wall with some one elses cape around it. THAT WHY IM ASKING how mush salt to bring in to properly care for it. Without bring a whole bunch extra....

Sorry that wasnt directed at you Steve. Id just pack as much as you are comfortable with. If its only a half pound its better than none. As sheephunter said salting the facial area is key and what ever is left will help the hide.

[gunslinger]

jees boys im wondering how much a guy would take if u were doing a full mount if your taking 4-5 pounds for a cape thats 10 pounds for the full mount, ya right. noone is pakcing that much salt

this stone of mine was three days before i got salt on him and no prob.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d182/gunsligner/PatGarretSheep06388.jpg

[Tundra Monkey]

No problem there Sheepguide.

I was referring to how I hunt and my point was that if he has the means to get out in a reasonable amount of time that it is not an immediate concern. No sweat off this duck if you disagree with me....read my tag line ;)

Not sure where I disagreed with anything ya said or why ya figure I wouldn't listen and "value" your opinion but have at er'.

I only do 1 sheep per year but we do a coupla hundred caribou without salt....but we cheat and freeze them ;)

Maybe one day after your knees tell ya that the mts are a little much you, ya might enjoy a paid holiday guiding on the nice flat barrens and not have to worry about a tent or horses. Of course you'll have to leave the arrogance at the float base.

tm

[LongDraw]

Steve,

The important issue to take from this discussion is hide prep is MORE important than carrying extra salt. If you dn't get the ears turned to the very tip you could bury the cape in salt and the tips of the ears would still slip, same goes for fleshing/turning around the eye area. Seems these areas are where hair slips if it happens. Once you learn how to turn/prep/flesh a cape properly you will have no issues only carrying a pound or so of salt. Taxidermists ship capes and skins to the tannery salted and dried. I had a bear hide that I did all the prep to, paws, lips, ears, eyes and fleshed and once I salted it I dried it and it sat in my garage rolled in a burlap sack for 8 months before I sent it to the tannery. A salted and dried hide/cape will not go bad if you know how to prep it before you salt it.


Talk to a taxidermist- For the most part capes don't slip from a lack of salt, but rather ****ty prep/ failure to flesh, turn fully, laying in the sun, etc.

[Tundra Monkey]

this stone of mine was three days before i got salt on him and no prob.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d182/gunsligner/PatGarretSheep06388.jpg

Don't be putting real life on the internet there 'slinger......only what you're supposed to say!!!!!!!!!

tm

ps....nice sheep!!!!!

[Frans]

I was actually thinking of doing something nice with just a European mount if I get one. I already have a shoulder mount, I think something with a pedestal, some rocks, etc. could make a very nice display. There, saved a few pounds! ;-)

The 3-4 day scenario seems to apply only if you are going to be picked up at a fixed time, and that usually would mean horses, so not too big of a deal to carry a few pounds extra. Or are you guys actually hiking in 3-4 days on your hunts? I think that would be pretty hard to do without ending up in a difference province... or am I missing something?

Frans

[steve]

I was actually thinking of doing something nice with just a European mount if I get one. I already have a shoulder mount, I think something with a pedestal, some rocks, etc. could make a very nice display. There, saved a few pounds! ;-)

The 3-4 day scenario seems to apply only if you are going to be picked up at a fixed time, and that usually would mean horses, so not too big of a deal to carry a few pounds extra. Or are you guys actually hiking in 3-4 days on your hunts? I think that would be pretty hard to do without ending up in a difference province... or am I missing something?

Frans


Getting dropped, picked up 10 days later. Typically I move camp every night. So I do go 3-4 days in one direction. I could end up with a cape on my hands, no where near a freezer for 5+ days. And 4 days from my drop camp.

[Frans]

Getting dropped, picked up 10 days later. Typically I move camp every night. So I do go 3-4 days in one direction. I could end up with a cape on my hands, no where near a freezer for 5+ days. And 4 days from my drop camp.

I see... thanks!

F.

[Grizzly Adams]

I have one but Noel did one that was way nicer.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h44/sheephunterab/Ramonpack.jpg

That's a Trapper Nelson under there.:lol: Made by Vancouver tent and Awning. Hell of a good rig, in the old days.
Grizz

[albertadave]

Well maybe I will just stay home :lol:

I go over pretty carefully what I need in my pack and I don't carry what I don't feel I need.

Maybe when I grow up big and strong like you and Delburne Dave I can show off my internet muscles and mouth off to people I've never met :confused:

tm

PS. Welcome to the forum Sheepguide. I can't believe it's been a month already.
Easy big guy, no need to get upset.:wave: Personally, I could care less what you put in your pack, or what you do with your sheep cape, but the OP was looking for some advice. I'd say, and most on here would seem to agree, that leaving the salt at home when back packing in for sheep is bad advice.

[sheephunter]

The key to saving a cape is the hide prep. If you get it down to the white with everything turned and split you need very little salt to draw the moisture out. Guys make the mistake of laying it in the sun, leaving flesh and fat on the skin, drying by the fire, not turning/splitting everything 100% and thinking that more salt will take care of this. A couple hours of prep to get it 100% and you can get away with less salt. I carry a 1L nalgene bottle of salt that is maybe 2lbs? and that is ample salt for a sheep cape.

One litre of salt weighs approximately 35.979441188572 ounces or roughly 2.25 pounds. I agree this is lots if you are only a day or two from the vehicle but if you are 4-5 days, then I'd prefer more.....in hot weather anyhow.

[LongDraw]

One litre of salt weighs approximately 35.979441188572 ounces or roughly 2.25 pounds. I agree this is lots if you are only a day or two from the vehicle but if you are 4-5 days, then I'd prefer more.....in hot weather anyhow.

Starting hunts in mid July when it could get to 30c we never had any issues. All the guides took the same ammount on each hunt. I know I sound like a broken record- HIDE PREP is the key. It takes very little salt to draw the moisture out of a sheep cape when you get all the tissue and fat off before salting. I have never felt like I should have more salt with this ammount. For a lifesize I would pack 2L and still have enough left for seasoning the tenderloins!

[sheephunter]

No arguement about proper caping. I just find that bighorn capes are considerably bigger than Stone or Dall and thus the need for some extra salt.....the extra .75 pounds...:D

[sheepguide]

Starting hunts in mid July when it could get to 30c we never had any issues. All the guides took the same ammount on each hunt. I know I sound like a broken record- HIDE PREP is the key. It takes very little salt to draw the moisture out of a sheep cape when you get all the tissue and fat off before salting. I have never felt like I should have more salt with this ammount. For a lifesize I would pack 2L and still have enough left for seasoning the tenderloins!

I hear what your saying and your totaly right but just remember alot of people on here are not expert capers and only cape out the odd animal. The cape may not be 100%. This is where salt will be an asset and help them out.

[sheepguide]

PS. Welcome to the forum Sheepguide. I can't believe it's been a month already.

Just wondering what you were talking about here as I have no clue:huh: Ive been on here for a while.

[chuck]

I hear what your saying and your totaly right but just remember alot of people on here are not expert capers and only cape out the odd animal. The cape may not be 100%. This is where salt will be an asset and help them out.


And a lot of guides.... um I mean guys that ought to know better are not so hot in the caping department either.

[sheepguide]

And a lot of guides.... um I mean guys that ought to know better are not so hot in the caping department either.

Yes I agree 100%

[southunter]

Do you guys carry an extra knife for the fleshing part and different one for the gutting and skinning portion? Will my drop point work for the fleshing without cutting the cape. My fleshing experience has been with an actual fleshing knife on furs. A little more weight out of the backpack with only one knife...

[sheephunter]

I carry a 3 1/2" folding knife and a scalpel and a few extra blades. The trick is to cape slowly and leave the meat on the carcass and head and not on the cape. There really shouldn't be any serious fleshing required if done right.

[Tundra Monkey]

Just wondering what you were talking about here as I have no clue:huh: Ive been on here for a while.

I was referring to your join date.....it says May 2009 on your posts.

tm

[muleskinner]

Take it from somebody who has mounted many sheep and hunted them as well.Take care of your cape as soon as its possible.You may think your cape is ok after dragging it around for days with no salt, but your taxidermist may be struggling to save the hair on it and make a presentable mount.The hide begins to deteriorate as soon as the animal dies.Why take the chance.Learn to care for your trophies in the field and get a better end result from your taxidermist.If you ask your taxidermist for field care instructions he or she will be more than happy to show you how to properly care for your cape.Moisture is the enemy of your cape and the best way to remove the bacteria causing moisture from the hide is to salt it as soon as you have removed all the fat etc. from the hide and turned ears and lips.I carry 5 lbs of salt for each cape.

[Tundra Monkey]

Getting dropped, picked up 10 days later. Typically I move camp every night. So I do go 3-4 days in one direction. I could end up with a cape on my hands, no where near a freezer for 5+ days. And 4 days from my drop camp.

I didn't think that you could be 4 days from nowhere in AB :lol:

Ouch....tough way to hunt. If you shoot your ram four days from camp you're gonna have a tough time making the same trip back in the same time frame when you're loaded.......I'd pack salt.

Do you do this alone or with a partner? I had planned to do one solo last year but wound up with a really good guy whom I'm going with again this year. Momma wasn't to impressed with the solo idea but if I'm going to take a 16 year old up there I gotta "pass" the test :D Wouldn't actually be alone though....I take a 6 year old Karelian Bear Dog that we got out of Alaska 4 years ago....fully trained on grizz....you should see her work :scared: Are there a lot grizz thick where you are at? Almost getting to be like rabbits up here.

We hunt the same way up here but don't use the drop camp anymore and our pick-ups are by helicopter. If we kill one it's pretty easy to find or make a meat locker and we'll continue on for the next one or make that spot home. Once your into them it's usually a good spot and you can see your options in the morning so we'll hunt really light from there. The chopper is nice because it comes to you and alleviates a lot of concerns pertaining to meat and trophy care. Usually only a day or so notice and sometimes she's within hours....which has it's benefits of day 8 for sure. We could do it by float plane but we found it too limiting being set to an area but there are a few guys that do that in the Nahanni area. We hunt quite a bit further North and the lakes are pretty much non existant at the higher elevations.....and that million square miles is wayyyyyy toooooo tempting.

tm

[Kelty]

Steve,

We usually do ten day backpack hunts for sheep as well. We don't take more than a litre of salt. If you're successful in getting a ram, you'll save a lot of weight by capeing it out and cleaning up the head and horns and salting it down. It'll easily justify the extra weight of the salt with how much weight you'll save on the cape and head when it is salted and cleaned up properly. However, we don't carry more than one litre of salt.

[sheephunter]

you'll save a lot of weight by capeing it out and cleaning up the head and horns and salting it down.

Just remember to leave eye sockets intact with the eye balls in them.

[Tundra Monkey]

Ok......I gotta ask why :o

tm

[sheephunter]

Because it's the law...lol

You need the eye ball to determine if it meets the 4/5 minimum. A lot of first time sheep hunters don't realize this and could end up getting a ram confiscated because of it.

[Tundra Monkey]

I think I'm gonna have to go to school before I ever entertain the thought of moving South :ashamed:

Them dudes are pretty good to us as long as you're in the communities.....tend to be a little more confrontational here in the "big city"


tm

[sheephunter]

I think I'm gonna have to go to school before I ever entertain the thought of moving South :ashamed:

tm

Not sure that would help......they do love making things confusing down here.

[Tundra Monkey]

Not sure that would help

Ouch ;)

kinda hurts when a guy doesn't use smilies

tm

[LongDraw]

Definately better safe than sorry on a just 4/5 curl ram with the eye left in~!

[sheephunter]

You'd think so but you are wrong about that. The regulation specifies eye and if a F&W wants to push it, they can. Take the chance if you want but the regulations are the regulations. Best advice is to follow them.

[Tundra Monkey]

We are legal on 3/4 curls up here.....but it's less confusing if you wait.....hope the pic works.

tm

[Tundra Monkey]

Man o' man do I ever suck at putting pictures on here..... :confused:

tm

[LongDraw]

You'd think so but you are wrong about that. The regulation specifies eye and if a F&W wants to push it, they can. Take the chance if you want but the regulations are the regulations. Best advice is to follow them.

Good to know.. Suck to lose a sheep over an eyeball!

Curious if that is a recent thing? I remembered it as intact eye sockets?

[Sheepcrazyguy]

You'd think so but you are wrong about that. The regulation specifies eye and if a F&W wants to push it, they can. Take the chance if you want but the regulations are the regulations. Best advice is to follow them.

That's exactly right, you have to leave the eye ball in.

[sheepguide]

Because it's the law...lol

You need the eye ball to determine if it meets the 4/5 minimum. A lot of first time sheep hunters don't realize this and could end up getting a ram confiscated because of it.

They also sometimes extract fluid from the eye to help confirm the date shot. Also if your worried about the sheep being short(not that we should shoot sheep this close) then if possible bring in to be checked with cape still on skull.

[sheephunter]

Good to know.. Suck to lose a sheep over an eyeball!

Curious if that is a recent thing? I remembered it as intact eye sockets?

Been around since 1988 for sure......I almost learned the hard way.

Always good to know the law before offering legal advice......;)

[chuck]

Just remember to leave eye sockets intact with the eye balls in them.


I've never seen an eye ball live outside an eye socket. I have had sheep plugged sans eye balls and know of others as well. I even discussed this with the CO and strangely he agreed. If you aren't clearing the socket leave the eye there. If you are clearing the socket you are clearing the eye. It can't be any other way.

[sheephunter]

And I was going 85 in an 80 today and met a cop that didn't give me a ticket......

I'm sure most officers use common sense when determining if a sheep is legal or not but I'd rather rely on the regulations than the whim of an officer. A sheep head remains property of the crown until it is plugged. You take it into them without the eye balls and you are breaking a regulation and they can seize the sheep. You might be willing to take the chance....I'm not and would highly suggest that no one else does either. Kinda seems stupid to knowingly ignore a regulation that is simple to follow with the chance your sheep could be seized. At least that's how I look at it. Lots of laws don't make sense but knowingly not following them because they are stupid won't change the fact you didn't follow the regulations. If you take the eyes out, you better be prepared to live with the consequences.

From the regulations regarding mandatory requirements for registration: "Male sheep over 1 year of age (the complete unaltered skull with horns and eyes intact must be submitted);

[sheepguide]

I've never seen an eye ball live outside an eye socket. I have had sheep plugged sans eye balls and know of others as well. I even discussed this with the CO and strangely he agreed. If you aren't clearing the socket leave the eye there. If you are clearing the socket you are clearing the eye. It can't be any other way.

You should read your regulations as it states complete unaltered skull with eyes intact. You got away with it but others taking your advise may not!

[chuck]

And I was going 85 in an 80 today and met a cop that didn't give me a ticket......

I'm sure most officers use common sense when determining if a sheep is legal or not but I'd rather rely on the regulations than the whim of an officer. A sheep head remains property of the crown until it is plugged. You take it into them without the eye balls and you are breaking a regulation and they can seize the sheep. You might be willing to take the chance....I'm not and would highly suggest that no one else does either. Kinda seems stupid to knowingly ignore a regulation that is simple to follow with the chance your sheep could be seized. At least that's how I look at it. Lots of laws don't make sense but knowingly not following them because they are stupid won't change the fact you didn't follow the regulations. If you take the eyes out, you better be prepared to live with the consequences.

From the regulations regarding mandatory requirements for registration: "Male sheep over 1 year of age (the complete unaltered skull with horns and eyes intact must be submitted);

Do you keep the nostril on a ram killed in a full curl zone?

[sheepguide]

Oh x2 on sheephunter :lol:

[sheepguide]

Do you keep the nostril on a ram killed in a full curl zone?

complete unaltered skull

[chuck]

You should read your regulations as it states complete unaltered skull with eyes intact. You got away with it but others taking your advise may not!

My goodness I pulled one off.

[sheephunter]

Do you keep the nostril on a ram killed in a full curl zone?

I've never hunted a full curl zone but considering it's not specified that you must in the Wildlife Act, I seriously doubt it could result in a sheep being seized. That being said, If the sheep was close, it might not be a bad idea but it's not legally required as is leaving the eyes in.

Truthfully Chuck, you can do whatever you like and I could care less....I'm just pointing out a regulation that many are unaware of. Choosing to follow the regulations is up to the individual. Following this one seems prudent to me.

[sheepguide]

hard to beleive some one would argue about a regulation :confused:

[chuck]

As an experiment I asked my 2 year old daughter to point out the "eyes" in the following picture. Unbelievably she was able to pull it off.

http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l433/chuck_nelson/P1060623.jpg

[sheephunter]

Chuck, I'm not arguing with you about how easy it is to determine legality with the eyes out.....just pointing out a regulation that I'm sure some F&W officers expect people to follow. It's a regulation written in black and white. It may not make sense to you but it's a regulation regardless....choose to do what you will with it....:confused::confused::confused:

BTW, your daughter pointed out the eye sockets....not the eyes.....a small discrepency but a discrepency none the less. I somehow doubt your two year old daughter will be considered an expert in court.

Speaking from experience, some officers will choose to make an issue of the eyes being removed.......so far you've been lucky and not run into one of those officers. Others may not be so lucky.....ugh

[sheepguide]

As an experiment I asked my 2 year old daughter to point out the "eyes" in the following picture. Unbelievably she was able to pull it off.

Just to help you out Chuck the eye socket is considered part off the SKULL. If it was the eye socket do you thing they would put "eyes intact".