Thanks for all the info guys.
I put it all to use today as I was very fortunate to take my first mount worth deer- a 10 pointer.

All great info. above. ABSOLUTELY no rope around the neck PERIOD!!! Also don't drag the deer any farther than you have to as the farther you drag it the more likely hair will get damaged on the neck.

Brian

a guy is better off taking the properly gutted deer to the taxi. It's part of the price you are paying for the job. Besides, if he goofs up he's liable for a cape or, they can say "who ever caped it did it wrong but I can sell you a cape". It's pretty interesting to see how they punch-out your hide and record it to insure you are getting yours back from the tanner. I watched a guy do a few of them.

if you cape it yourself, take eye to eye and eye to nose measurements.

I would say that one should leave the skinning of the head and the measurements to the taxidermist as one may not measure it correctly and then there could be issues with getting the correct sized form for the mount.