Yes I know I should process my own deer but I was just never taught how to. With that said I’ve never taken my deer to the taxidermist either. Just tag and to butcher shop.

This year I’m taking my son hunting and he really wants his deer on the wall even if a doe and I figure his first deer I want to do this for him.

My question is how does that work tagging wise. Do I put the tag in and go to the meat processor first and just leave the body there? Then take the head and cape to the taxidermist with the tag in? The taxidermist is only two miles from my parents house we will be hunting and the butcher shop maybe 20 min away. Didn’t know if I could drop off at taxidermist first.

Also does the butcher shop or taxidermist remove the head/cape the deer? I’m sure I can figure it out via YouTube just never had to do it before and not sure when it gets done.

The tag stays with the head. It’s supposed to be attached to the ear. The butcher does not need the tag to process the meat. I’d have the butcher cape it out or the taxidermist if you have never done it before. If you do if yourself just try not to puncture the hide when skinning the animal. Use a good knife and leave a little more hide with it than you think you’ll need. There are plenty of good videos on YouTube on how to do it. The tag will stay with the head and hide. Where in PA are you located or hunt at?

https://youtu.be/0TT3sy6p0pw

Perfect info thank you. I’m now in Berks near Fleetwood but hunt my parents in Lancaster, near middle creek, Denver area.

I didn’t know you could take the deer to the butcher without a tag. I may try to do my own this year because I really want to teach my sons how to do it.

Thanks again.

I never got around to butchering my own deer.

As stated, the tag stays with the deer. I tell my butcher if I’m going to have the deer mounted and he’ll cape out the deer for a shoulder mount.

When I come back to pick up my meat, the caped head....with tag is in a different box. I’ll then drop that box off at my taxidermist.

Nice, I didn’t know they could go that long. I thought they had to go to the taxidermist right away. Thanks for the info.