I mount WT on forms based on exact hair-on eye to nose and hair-off upper neck. Some customers want larger necks. I show them all the measurements I take and how I take them. I explain the dangers of oversizing, i.e. drumming, splitting etc. They complain that other taxidermist do it with no problem. I really don't want to lose their business. I shave my skins on a machine flesher and hand stretch the skin to original dimensions. Is there a particular mannikin that is designed to give the appearence of a larger neck without larger measurements? Is there a special position "upright, droop, semi-sneak, full sneak, etc. that gives appearence of oversize neck.
Return to Deer Taxidermy Category Menu
Drop your eye to nose measurement up to half an inch and then order the full rut forms. But I like telling the customers that if they'd SHOOT a big deer, I'd MOUNT one.
do what George says plus before you sew it up in the back, put some caulking on the neck area. You can use you hand to move around and give it that football player look.
Joe,
When you measure the carcass (neck) for your form size you are not taking into consideration the amount of skin you will be removing when shaving. This increases the size. If you note the carcass measurement, then after shaving and tanning,measure the cape at the neck just behind the ears , you will find that it is larger than your carcass measurement. This is the correct size for your deer. You have in fact been using a form too small for your deer. I measure the neck before skinning just behind the ears and subtract 1 1/2 inches for southern deer and 2 inches for thicker haired northern deer. I check this method by measuring the deer after it is mounted and dry. I get the same hair-on measurement as before it was skinned.
Try McKenzie forms.........they offer a choice of pre-rut and swelled neck forms.
You might also explain to your customers that their deer's neck is going to look larger in their trophy photo because the muscles are relaxed and bunched up when they pull the head up and turn it to the camera. Our goal as taxidermists is to recreate the look of the deer when it was alive.
Tell them That if they would be a bit choosier in the deer they kill. and quit shooting the first thing that came by with antlers. They may find a deer with a big Neck. Besides If I blow the neck up. It will Make your puney rack look even smaller. LMAO