I'm haveing a problem find a form to fit a small 6 pointer I have. The size is eye-nose= 6 5/8, neck @ head=13 1/2, and 3" down=14 1/2. I've looked through most of the major suppliers, Van Dykes, Research, WASCO, Noonkester, Mekenzie, and Jonas. Any help would be appericated.
I saw a doe form in Van Dykes that fits but I don't know if it would work for a buck and I wasn't to happy with those doe forms the last time I ordered one. Thanks everyone
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They have one that small, I have one of them, its a nubbin form, but minor alterations would fix it.
McKenzie sells both a 4000 and an 8000 series form that likely will fit your deer out of the box. They aren't exact, but that's what taxidermists do. If you want exact, buy their doe form and a changeout head in 6 1/2 (few make the 1/8 sizes that I know of).
They have a good selection of "southern type" forms
thats the state where it was taken....I'll take another look but I'm haveing a hard time finding forms that are 14" below the ears (with the exception of an upright from Van Dykes) but I can't make this deer look that proud. I was hoping for a semi sneak or something.
Is there a vendor that deals with mainly northern WT manikins?
what difference does it make if they deal with "nothern" mannikens? if you took a deer in wisconsin that has the same measurements as one taken in mississippi, would it matter where it was killed. if it fits, it fits.
I must have forgotten that all deer in this country have the same facial features and body structures, I must be crazy to think that a Wisconsin or Michagan deer would differ from a Texas deer. Ya got me!
Does anyone have any constructive info to share. I remember hearing, on this forum, about a company that has a large selection of manikins that fit the northern WT features but I can't for the life of me find that post.
I do not mean to aggervate you, but the previous post about "if it fits, it fits" is actually correct. You are absolutly right that the deer's appearence do differ depending on where they were killed, but the manikins are actually very much the same. The difference is in the hides (as far as color and hair patterens, etc), and not really in the shape of the manikin. You could alter the manikin to make it look the way you would like. Hope you find what you are looking for--good luck!
I have to say I, too, get chafed with that "Wisconsin deer are different" crap. In Delaware we have the only northern strain whitetails on the Atlantic coast simply because we imported them from Ohio and Michigan in the '50's when they were eradicated.
A deer is a deer and a taxidermist SHOULD be able to modify a form with clay, foam, or whatever to fit any special nuances needed. I routinely build Roman noses on the piebalds or shorten noses on those big Canadian bruisers. Deer hides stretch unimaginably and can be taxied to up or down in sizes. I hear "norther tier deer have blockier faces". Questionable but probably because younger deer get bigger, faster than their southern counterparts. I hear "southern deer have more delicate faces". Amounts to smaller bodied deer with older, longer faces. Geographic locations (and I forget that proper terminology) mean that deer from colder climates get larger than those from warm climates. A Manitoba whitetail will fit a Joe Coombs form or a Danny Foster form quite well, but both those guys also make skinnier necked, longer faced deer to meet the majority of their local herds appearances as well. Buckeye forms may be more square headed, Van Dykes may have higher eye sockets, and McKenzie actually advertised that their deer combined all the characteristics of all strains of whitetails once.
If you didn't know, all mannikins today are SCULPTED. Few people use the skull and build an armateur like we did in the old days. But if you need verification on what you're being told about all whitetails will fit the right measurement form, order a 7x19 for Texas and then take one of your 7x19 Wisconsin deer and see for yourself. If you had their skulls side by side, you'd likely not see much difference except that your deer would have better teeth and probably be a whole lot younger than the Texas deer.
Thanks for hear me out! Maybe I made a wrong statement, I know if the measurements match the form/cape will fit, that's common sence. I'm haveing a hard time trying to find that combination of the eye-nose and neck. I'm trying to get away with as little altering as possible, maybe that sounds lazy but why make more work for yourself if you don't have to.
Were you referring to Bergmans Rule? On body mass? If the fellow is looking for a buck that small, he sure doesnt want northern forms, but specialty size. I doubt Ive EVER mounted one that small from around here (north). Oh well, thats why theyre made of foam...soft foam!
Just wondering?