On the last Deer that I mounted the measurements were 6 1/2 x 14 1/2. Small 4 pointer. I had made the short incision with the 7 cut, my problem is trying to get the cape over the head. My incision was about 8 inches long and there was no way I could get the cape to fit over that form. I took the cape off and measured the head and it was about 16". To make the long story short I ended up cutting the cape the whole length. Also to rule any ideas the cape was tanned with McKenzie Tan and shaved real well. I know I could probably just stretch the cape but if I can I would like to avoid this. Thanks in advance.
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If not you're not going to get the stretch out of it that you should. I sweat mine for almost a day before mounting and use lots of hide paste on the mannikin. Other than that I don't know.
I found on a very short incision and a small neck such as a doe you can cut the head off the form, slide the cape on then Bondo the head back on. Its not that time consuming as it may sound.
Todd, Mark gave a good way, also you can just saw off the back of the head, slip the cape on and replace the piece you took off, then set the antlers. As for stretching the cape, that's what I would always opt for first. Any stretching you do will easily go back to normal with a little taxiing of the skin. Enjoy, Aaron H.