Whitetail in extreme cold - raised hair?

[Nina]

I've seen some mounts done where the most of the hair on the deer's body is standing out, as a thermal insulation. Does anyone have any live reference pics of deer showing this correctly? I have one of these to do but don't want it to look overdone, so I'd like to find some good reference.

text taken from link here http://www.myoan.net/huntingart/deer_seasons.html

"The buck's thick winter coat keeps him warm. The dark-gray color helps absorb the sun's heat. In extreme cold, a deer tightens its skin muscles and the coat hairs stand on end. This traps air near the skin's surface, insulating a deer and keeping it warm. This process is called piloerection."

[sluggunner]

These aren't my pictures, but here are a few examples.
 
 
 
 
Being from Georgia, I don't typically see piloerection as a means of keeping warm, but rather as a way of showing aggression.
Often times when I see two deer that aren't the best of friends, one of them will "bristle up" in an attempt to appear larger. Until just now when I researched the topic, I had no idea it was a means of keeping warm as well.

[Nina]

Thank you very much for the pics. Those are some good ones and will help a lot.

Here are some others I found through a search, credits to pbase and flickr members.



mule deer, but same concept

[Kydeerhunter03]

Heres a few I found on flickr

[coonhollow]

some nice photos! the back cover of the Foster Catalog has a deer mounted like this, it was done by a former taxidermist close to me.

[buckmaster14]

Nina, hopefully these shots can help you.

[oldboar]

Hi Nina,

I assume you will be attempting to protray a mount this way.  I've done quite a few...and they all are VERY labor intensive.  Plan on having a very good tan, tight hair, and a clean cape. 

Have the cape fit nicely, not tight anywhere.

Next set your alarm clock for every 3-4 hours (yes 24/7:)....so that you can back brush and/or use air to create the loft needed.  to keep hair standing.

I am kind of a freak about hair manipulation....and correct hair patterns, and this will push you to the limit:)

I don't think I've found anything harder in deer taxidermy than duplicating nature with hair in this position.  You will find the facial hair, and hair on chin and jowls particularily difficult to keep from falling down...I suppose due to the leather drying so much faster.

Good luck, and have fun...it makes for an awesome mount!

Jim

[Nina]

thanks for the photos everyone and thank you for the tips Jim!
I have seen too many winter whitetails just slicked down...I am going to make the effort to make mine look full and alive.
This is one I'm working on now. I haven't had the chance to do a full grooming session yet because I am still sewing it up, so that's why she looks a litle scrawny and ungroomed...But I plan on taking the hair dryer to this one after I'm done.

[Matt Marulli (OTT)]

Nina, set all your hair patterns first and let it dry some before trying to back brush. If you try to back brush it to soon the hide will shift and throw off your hair patterns. I have even let them dry completely and then gone back and wet the hair with Mane and Tail from a spray bottle and then hit it with compressed air. Happy sewing, cant wait to see it finished.

[Jim Tucker]

Just my 2 cents.  I don't find them labor intensive at all.  AIR is the key. 

After mounting and getting everything in place back blow all the hair using the outflow of a SHOP VAC or similar air pressure until it stands up on its own.  A hair dryer is NOT enough and a compressor gives you NO control.

WAY OVERPUFF your hair all over like your deer stuck his finger in a light socket.  You may have to do it more than once but usually not.  Let the deer dry in this exaggerated way.

After it is dry you will be able to groom it to the point you want and have the FULLNESS you need.  Check the mount from day to day and make sure you didn't flatten the hair somewhere.

It works really well for the "dang it's cold look" on deer.  It is also the BEST way to get that "fur coat" look on your furbearers.

[Vince Spellane]

x2 The shop vac is the way to go!