When needing to add length to the eye to nose measurement on a mannikin--do you need to add the length in the lip slot or behind the slot? I guess what I am asking is--Does a deers mouth length change from one size(6 3/4") to another (7 1/2")? Do you need to make an adjustment in the mouth area or just the face?
Thanks Alot everyone,
Allen
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it is no easy task to alter a nose so greatly that it needs mouth alteration also. up to 3/8" should not require any.
A rule carpenters live by is "Measure twice, cut once". Before you ever think of cutting a muzzle, ask yourself why you're doing it. Is the muzzle really too short or is the neck size smaller than the accompanying eye/nose measurement. Many times it's the latter and you set yourself up with a whole different set of problems. A 4 year old deer will have a skull almost 3/4 inch wider than a year and a half old buck. Lengthening the muzzle still leaves your deer with a younger deer forehead. That's why you should make sure before you cut and maybe even consider a changeout head instead.
As deer grow they do not simply get a longer muzzle. Their entire head grows. This means that their forehead widens, their nose gets larger, and the muzzle widens. To make such a drastic alteration simply in length will give the deer the appearance of a giraffe head. You can produce a better mount by getting a bigger form, and reducing the neck size. Or as George suggested. Change out head.