Salting a Cape in the Backcountry - Page 2

Tundra Monkey · #31 06-23-2009, 03:22 PM

Hey Whitetailsheds,

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

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

#32 06-23-2009, 03:26 PM

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

Sheepcrazyguy · #33 06-23-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tundra Monkey

Thanx SheepCrazy

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

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

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 · #34 06-23-2009, 03:46 PM

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

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 · #35 06-23-2009, 05:09 PM

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 · #36 06-23-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

LOL, that's the truth

steve · #37 06-23-2009, 05:11 PM

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

#38 06-23-2009, 05:19 PM

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 · #39 06-23-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

sheepguide · #40 06-23-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

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.

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 · #41 06-23-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Well maybe I will just stay home

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

tm

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

steve · #42 06-23-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · #43 06-23-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepguide

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 · #44 06-23-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepguide

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

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

tm

#45 06-23-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

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 · #46 06-23-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

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....

packhuntr · #47 06-23-2009, 05:53 PM

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.

sheepguide · #48 06-23-2009, 06:14 PM

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 · #49 06-23-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

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 · #50 06-23-2009, 06:33 PM

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.

Tundra Monkey · #51 06-23-2009, 06:36 PM

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 · #52 06-23-2009, 06:43 PM

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 · #53 06-23-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunslinger

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

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

tm

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

Frans · #54 06-23-2009, 06:54 PM

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 · #55 06-23-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 · #56 06-23-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

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 · #57 06-23-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

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

That's a Trapper Nelson under there.

Made by Vancouver tent and Awning. Hell of a good rig, in the old days.
Grizz

albertadave · #58 06-23-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tundra Monkey

Well maybe I will just stay home

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

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.

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.

#59 06-23-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #60 06-23-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

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!