07/09/2024
Prep for Success
Archery is a low-odds game when it comes to success, but you still need to take a few extra precautions in the event that you manage to take a deer during the early hunt. Have a plan that gets the deer’s meat cooled as quickly as possible, even if that means bringing a cooler of ice and a mobile skinning rack in the truck.
It’s also important to have a plan to preserve the velvet on the deer’s antlers if you are planning to have the deer mounted. According to Cary Copeland of Wildlife Illusions Taxidermy and Processing of Jacksonville, even touching the velvet can damage it.
“I know the first thing everyone wants to do is go over and pick up that deer by the antlers, but that’s a major mistake,” Copeland said. “Oils in your skin can degrade the velvet, so you need to avoid handling the antlers at all costs. That velvet has shrunk up and is about ready to fall off. Handling and pulling on it will tear the velvet loose,” Copeland said. “The best way to pick the deer up is by the bottom of the chin and back of the head. Do whatever you can to avoid that rack from rubbing against things.”
Copeland said a product called Velvalock also will help the velvet stay on until you reach the taxidermist.
“It’s a spray bottle that you use as soon as you get your deer that helps the velvet stay on,” Copeland said. “If the velvet comes off, there’s no sense in trying to save it. But we have ways to add velvet at the shop for the mount.”
Col. Brad Young, chief of AGFC enforcement, has taken multiple deer hunting trips during other states’ early seasons and has used the Velvalock product to help preserve the antlers as well.
“You also really want to keep from bumping those antlers or letting them rub against anything on the haul out,” Young said. “On private land, you can load the deer carefully on an ATV and put a blanket or something between the antlers and the rack of the ATV or side-by-side. On public land, a deer cart is an absolute must to prevent dragging off the velvet. Position the deer’s head up and strap him in well for the ride.”
The use of a nonplastic game bag over the antlers also can protect the velvet and prevent flies from laying eggs in it until you get the deer to a taxidermist.