I am working on my first mount. I just turned the lips, nose, eyes and ears. The ear had one big scar which was not yet healed and popped open. I also made some cuts myself (with the scalpel) in the nose tubes and lips. I have two questions. First, when is the best time to stitch these closed? (I expect it would be after pickling and fleshing- before tanning, just don't really know). Also, the ear scar is pretty long (running with the ear) and has a width to it of about 3/8"- any tips on fixing such a scar without mis-shaping the mounted ear? If I simply sew it closed, it will pull in and warp the ear. If I try to insert an ear liner with adhesive- I'm sure there will be an oozing mess on the hair. I didn't want to get wordy- just wanted to clearly state my questions. Thank you for any help.
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Just before you mount the deer. You dont have the book, as this is covered in both books about deerheads.
I have the Sallie Dahmes book and a video from Van Dykes- maybe I missed it there, but I will look again. Thank you.
Mark C., As for the cuts in nose, nostrils,& lips I repair those AFTER I mount the deer and it is dry using Apoxie Clay. The ear is different and since I can't "see" the ear you describe I would say there is some skin missing. Perhaps the scar that was not fully healed kind of bridged the gap. I would re-bridge the gap using a temporary "scab" of sewable plastic or a small bit of thin skin--whatever you find that will hold the ear properly to allow you to mount the ear.After drying do repairs and texturing /touch-up as needed. You can minimaze the visability of the repair area by posing the ear as to not show it off and even selecting a mannikin with the affected ear on the more 'wall side" of the mount. Enjoy this challenge, Aaron H.
for the input. The BIGGER question was what to do about the ear scar. Yes, Aaron H. your assumption was correct- and so your input (and input I received via email) was applicable- and very helpful. The ear cut was only open on one side of the cartilage, and when I split the ear, the scab opened. Neither my video, nor my book covered the condition. To John C: yes, the answer to when to sew was in the Dahmes book- sorry for asking a question that the answer to was at my finger tips. Thankks again.
If you ever get an ear that's too bad for repairing effectively...consider replacing the ear with a matching one from a scrap cape or head...or order one or pair of frozen ears from the skin and cape dealers on the Forum.