I have recently received a deer cape & antlers from my cousin who had previosly had it at another taxidermist.The cape is tanned & frozen. The taxidermist had it for 5 years & $150 deposit from my cousin.Finally fed up with waiting, he got his deer & his deposit back.This will be my first deer mount.After looking thru the archives, I am not sure how to accurately measure this cape for a mannikin.This will be great start for me,any professional help will be appreciated.
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Look up rehydration in archives.(search)button.
Measure wet cape as per form manufacturer's requirement: eye to nose: neck behind ears: 4 inches down neck etc. (don't overstretch cape.)
Joel,
I usually re-hydrate my capes in cold water with a cap full of " Downy" fabric softner. I let them soak for about 15 minutes, hang them up and after about 1/2 hour, I'll stretch them as best as I can, especially around the neck area.I just do this with my hands. After stretching, I measure the cape from eye to nose, and across the neck just under the ears. If your cape has a short " Y " incision, and is not split completely down the back, then simply multiply the measurement by 2. I then can order the mannikin. I will usually order one that is about 1/4 inch smaller in the eye to nose and about 1/2 to 1 inch smaller in the neck just under the ears. This will leave you plenty of room for tucking, and forming in the cape to the muscle contours of the mannikin, without drumming the cape. Hope this helps.
Good Luck!
Rob
I appreciate the advise.That was the exact help I was looking for.Thanks again.