hi just learning and i have a question.i have 3 doe heads more
on the way i am in a hunting club i get all the heads i want.
i have tape,dvd's reference photo's.
i know A-measurement tip of nose to corner of eye
B-circumference of neck below ears after the deer is skined.
my question is how do you measure a hide that's been cut all
the down the back.(not the Y-incision)all the way down.
for a shoulder mount.
thank you
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If the "A" is taken before skinning, why can't the "B"? I do it all the time. I use a quarter inch metal tape and I pull it tight. Never had a problem.
Now, if the cape has been dorsal cut, I'm ASSUMING all the neck meat has been removed. If that's the case, you CAN'T until after the hide is tanned. Then you measure the width of the hide under the ears as it lies flat on a work table. Measuring it green is just spitting into the wind as it will stretch as much as you'll let it. Now, if you're dry preserving the hide, order the form by the eye measurement. A raw hide that's been DP'd will also stretch as much as you want it.
Since you are much more of a "Wizzard of words" then I could ever hope to be, Maybe without even touching the subject of dry preserve
you could explain why the neck measurement is important. Ie; armpits half way up the shoulders, seams etc. (Just for an edjucational purpose) Now Wendall if you can figure the measurement for a tubed cape, you've already done the math to come up with a long cut, I mean we're really not giving much thought to the process at this point. I would challenge you to think about it for 2 minutes at most,to come up with an answere to your own question.
..you baffle with BS. The apex of the neck is critical on all mounts as that is the area that never changes unless you're a fat man with no neck. On deer, this measurement is critical in that the hide will never stretch any more than the circumference at that point. Often, people move the ears down the back of the neck, but if your "B" measurement (that's the designation on this post. Most suppliers play games with what letter they use.)is correct, the skin won't go any farther down the neck. I always stress to beginners the importance of "anatomical markers" both on the skin and on the form itself. Remember, today's forms do not use "death masks" or castings any longer, and the form (with all its steroidal musculature) is put there by the sculptor. The "B" measurement limits his or her creativity to some degree because it IS that critical. If you ever work on a tahr or a Cape buffalo, you'll quickly understand that lots of things can happen behind that "B" measurement, but if you get it right, those things just seem to fall in place much easier.
george you have been a big help.
thank you