what is the easiest whitetail pose for a beginner?
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Mike once you've done a few you'll not have too much trouble with any of the new high quaility shoulder mounts that are on the market today! When I started getting the hide stretched to fit form was my hardest task. I found the easiest to get on the form was the semi or full sneak mounts because the cape slid down the neck easier.Just remember order the neck 1 inch smaller than your measurement and everything will fall into place just like it should! Let us know what you choose and how it works for you.
Make sure you pre fit the hide on the form before you put the hide paste on. Make sure the eye to nose lines up good. pre fitting will save you alot of grief.
If the correct measurements are taken and the cape is thinned like it should be, you should not have any problems. Pre-fitting the cape is still a good idea prior to ruffing your form. I agree a SS or FS form would be a good position for your first deer.
Good Luck
Mike,
There is not a huge amount of differene mounting on most forms. One thing you might consider is if you use a common form that has a lot of different size options, you will be more lkely to find one that fits your cape without shaving your form as much. My suggestion would be a McKenzie 6500 semi-sneak. Every taxidermist has their favorite form, this is mine. It is avery natural looking position and comes in a bunch of sizes. Sarge's suggestion to order your form an inch smaller that your commercially tanned cape is also a good idea. If you are Krowtanning your cape I would not go down an inch. Hope this helps.
Good Luck,
Chip Stamper
Missouri Taxidermy Institute
www.taxidermy-schools.com
Put a garbage bag over it first. The skin will slide easily on and off on the plastic.
Garbage bags always work for me also, great way to slip an undersized cape onto an oversized form...