If you cap, and cape, 30ish lbs.

 

I guess I didn't ask the question correctly. I was meaning the head, antlers and cape together. The only bull I've shot was a raghorn and I didn't bother keeping the cape. Just did a skull mount.

 

I just helped packed out a 340 bull,full head and cape....I'm guessing 65#'s at a minimum.
I was packing a rear quarter with trim and the head/cape pack felt heavier.

 

75# is the number I've always heard as a good average for 6x


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That's what I was thinking - the rack, cape (I take it back to mid body), backstraps and loins = full load.

 

It definitely quite a load... And a lot harder to carry than meat, cause it's so bulky--especially if you're not on a trail and have to work thru brush and over dead falls. But then the joy of success keeps you going!


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You don't own the antler weight app for your iPhone? Grin

I don't haul many capes out....seems to me those big ones are more awkward than anything. It really helped me to wrap the cape over the skull [rather than rolling it behind] giving a padded surface for the back of your neck.

 

I agree, not many capes pulled out, but if I did, there is no way I'm bringing cape and skull out. I'd cap it, cape out completely, and pack the rack and cape only. You'd save a ton of weight.

 

I'd say the head weighs 25#'s so that is roughly what you would be leaving behind....I've never skinned the entire face,how difficult is that?

 

Aside from working around the antlers, this guy makes it look quite doable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW1J3qo6QbE

 

Good Video. The screwdriver trick is recommended by many taxidermists, but I always use a knife in the field, a little hair left behind is nothing. You can see, by caping completely, you save a ton of space, and more importantly, a ton of weight. I still don't think you'd be much over 30 something pounds doing it this way.

The toughest part of caping an elk is around the body, legs etc. Once you have the head, and cape just laying there, you're in the hope stretch.

 

I guess I hadn't thought of leaving the head behind. The only downside would be that I couldn't change my mind about doing a full mount and just doing a European style mount instead.
Thanks all

 

I still like euro's more....not sure where the cut off is(full mount or euro),if there is one.

 

Agree with above. Just keep your knife close to the skull at all times, and you can't go wrong really.