whitetail shoulder problems

[poirier]

the face and neck fit perfect but when it comes to the shoulders it is like they are to narrow. I have the capes wet tanned by a professional tannery. the shoulders are like 4 - 6 inches to narrow. what am I doing wrong? I would have to order a form 1-2 neck sizes smaller in order to make the shoulder to fit. please help

[aspenangler (Shane)]

poirier I am having the exact same problem. I have a wet tanned cape from K&K Tannery and I discussed the measurements with Rick Carter at the WASCO booth in PA and he suggested a couple of Edge forms that I brought home with me. The face and neck fit great but towards the back of the form it "Seems" way too small. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong either but it seems like the same exact issue. I have been debating about trying to stretch the back hide out.

[muddobber]

What brand of forms are you using?

[Wayne R]

Are the arm pits on the deer skin placed where they belong on the manikin? The shoulder tend to be tight on most forms IMO, so I'm wondering if the skin from the arm pits are being pulled up on the shoulder. Fit the brisket, arm pits and part of the leg where they belong and check if the shoulder skin is still loose. If it is then I'm lost as to why?

[poirier]

muddobber I am using a McKenzie forms

[ZABU77]

This is the reason I went to a pressure tanner. And I like the fact of knowing I wont put many holes in my capes.
I tried the Wildlife Gallery years ago, sent them a Fallow deer I had shot. Did a short incision (on everything,you can stretch back your capes)
sent it out, got it back looking very nice, except the nose was tore up, and the neck measured only14 inches. I tried wetting and stretching it
on my cape stretcher to no avail. I believe its the type of tanning they do that hurts people the most.

[muddobber]

I don't think your form is the problem. I would agree with ZABU77. I do all my own tanning. I was having problems with fitting. I change my tan and all my problems went away. I now get all gthe stretch I need and want for all my mounts. Could be your tan.

[ElkinsTaxidermy]

This is the reason I went to a pressure tanner. And I like the fact of knowing I wont put many holes in my capes.
I tried the Wildlife Gallery years ago, sent them a Fallow deer I had shot. Did a short incision (on everything,you can stretch back your capes)
sent it out, got it back looking very nice, except the nose was tore up, and the neck measured only14 inches. I tried wetting and stretching it
on my cape stretcher to no avail. I believe its the type of tanning they do that hurts people the most.

.

Your pressure tanning is better quality than The Wildlife Gallery's? I've heard it all.....now. If the pressure tan is so superior, why don't all of the tanneries use them? Something to ponder

[afthunt]

Sounds like you have the skin pulled too far back. Yes some of there forms shoulders are too big but they will still work.

[Randy Miller]

This is the reason I went to a pressure tanner. And I like the fact of knowing I wont put many holes in my capes.
I tried the Wildlife Gallery years ago, sent them a Fallow deer I had shot. Did a short incision (on everything,you can stretch back your capes)
sent it out, got it back looking very nice, except the nose was tore up, and the neck measured only14 inches. I tried wetting and stretching it
on my cape stretcher to no avail. I believe its the type of tanning they do that hurts people the most.

Wait, are you saying you thought you mount with the cape dry?

[John Helm]

I think the majority of forms are a bit too wide in the shoulder area.  Being with Bill Yox at his deer farm for a few days, one thing we noted with the live reference is how narrow across the shoulders a deer really is.  Foster's foms seem to be pretty narrow. Try them if you're unable to stretch your capes to fit.  Krowtann Whitetail formula and proper shaving gives me plenty of stretch.

[eliscull]

most people tend to over stretch the pit/brisket area of the deer. like wayne said, line up the brisket area then move the pit hair line into place.  the brisket area of a live deer is real loose and has folds if you have ever gotten the chance to go to a deer farm and see.  If you do feel this area and you'll see how the skin is flabby.  It is common to see people over stretch this area up the shoulder.

[eliscull]

i'm sorry is the hide 4-6 too small or the form?  I think i may have read you wrong.

[joeym]

poirier:

Re-neutralize and soften your cape by placing it in 3 gallons of lukewarm water containing a couple tablespoons of baking soda and a half capful of Downy fabric softener.  Soak for 5-10 minutes.  When you remove it, stretch with your arms, then rinse and spin out the water by placing the cape over the dasher in a washing machine.  Towel dry and mount.  You should have plenty of stretch when you do this.

[Paul B]

Are ypur capes cut all the way down the back? you need to strech the cape out for width. All my capes are tubed and I usually have more skin/cape to fine a place to go in keeping it inside the arm/shoulder points on the form.