I recently had a buck mounted by someone and it came out very bad. I have been researching taxidermy for a while now and have seen a couple of videos and read a few manuals. I am getting ready to start looking for a new cape to remount my buck. The problem is that I have no idea on how large the measurments were on the original buck. The buck was 184 pounds dressed, shot during the peak of the rut in Western New York and was 3 and a half years old. Would anyone out there have an idea of what size cape I might be looking for? Thanks
Return to Beginners Category Menu
What's everyone else say?
I'd say slightly larger , maybe 22 - 23 as he said its in rut . I butcher about 200 a year and I see 150 lb'ers with 21" necks . Rick
I live in western NY amd mount a number this size. I'd say you're looking for something around 7 3/4 x 22 give or take a little.
Hownahell can ya say "21-1/2 Inches"? You take the measurements fron the tip of nose to the eye...and around the neck as normal...and if the head is already mounted...length of the neck to its base.
Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Otherwise, measure the form as indicated...give the measurements to whoever you're trying to buy a cape from and tell them that's what you need.
"Maybe" and "Give or take" doesn't cut it. You're not buying a pair of size 10-13 pair of socks to fit every average male foot.
Deer Cape...Deer Cape.
Cut the cape off the form the full lenght back incision. Carefully remove it after soaking it damp towels wrapped around it for several hours.
Then rehydrate it in salt water...stretch and measure it it across behind the ears and its length...you'll know the replacement size you need to get.
If the form is decent you could 'probably' use it over...however...I'd recommend a new form of the style and pose you like best...easier to mount thataway.
ive never, ever, measured the length of a cape. if it was caped properly and you have a N-E measurement and width of neck measurement thats all you need. suppliers dont sell forms with different "lengths".
He thinks he's funny, we all pretend he is.
I stand corrected...don't know what I was thinking of the word 'length'...had a 26-hour day. We agree...the standard measurements as previously mentioned...just forget the 'length' (length is standard shoulder mount cape).
I always measure the deers nose to eye and neck measurements while my customer is standing there with it.It keeps the "it was bigger when I brought it to you " comments in check. It sounds like you may havre just dropped the deer off to your taxidermist without knowing the measurements.What was "bad " about the mounting? Was the pose not what you wanted or was it just sloppy work? You should have seen his other work before you left it there.I'd have to say that you'd need to get a cape with a neck size of at least 23 inches. The face meas can vary .I've had 3 yr old bucks with 8 1/4 and other 3 yr olds with a 7 1/4.I buy a mannikin to fit the neck FIRST and worry about the face later.
Thank all of you guys for helping me try to fix my mistake of having the wrong guy do my mount. Thanks again.