i just finished a deer mount and noticed a small portion of the skin folded under the base of one ear. how did this happen? not enough clay for the ear base ? i used about a golf and a half size of clay to rebuild the ear base. should i be concerned or not ? I cant even see the fold until i move the hair, should i put some pins in it just in case ? the fold is in the back of the ear. thanks, Chris
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The ears have lots of extra skin. This is how they can move them forward or all the way back. I normally work the skin up on the ear butt and I use more clay also than you. Just my .02 though.
Les
Chris, Sounds like you have a somewhat rear positioned ear. When the deer rolls it's ear back it is normal for a wrinkle to occur in the skin. The "extra" skin you see folded under should have been filled out a bit more PROBABLY. Another possibility is that the skin around the ear base is a little out of position (hard to say without seeing it). As for pins I would say no as provided that the clay work is solid the ear should be well supported once all is dry. As for how much clay to use just look closely at good photos of deer and get the size by compareing the width of the ear with the base, deer from my area may have smaller ears than your deer so "golf ball" sizing is just a place to start.This is a minor defect in the mount and it's real value is this learning opportunity it has provided you. There will be many others most likely. Enjoy, Aaron H.