hey guys, I bought a cape from a guy in Texas. The cape seemed nice but then when I soaked it up, the backs of the ears are rubbed hairless about half way up the ear, and around the bases. They are not slipped as the epidermal layer is still there. Looks like he rubbed them raw or something. Think this is from insects like ticks or something? I am just concerned the thing has mange or something. It has already been commercially tanned. Did find a few dead ticks in his hair, but I am guessing this is normal for Texas deer.
I want to mount it anyway because i don't get a chance to mount too many whitetails, and I don't think it will show once it is mounted and hanging on the wall. Is this something I should be concerned about?
Thanks!
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Drew, This is not a problem. Many areas in the south have deer with thin haired spots or even bare areas especially the ears. Ticks are the main problem here. The majority of the whitetails I see have some degree of ear damage from parasites. It is becoming very special to get a deer with realy great ears. Enjoy, Aaron H.
Deer with certain antler shapes will also show this, where the ears have been making contact with the antlers.
Thanks guys! Being here in Colorado, we don't get too many bugs and I don't get a chance to mount many whitetails. I am actually mounting this whitetail for my dad's house as a surprise. Had a tough time getting a form to match. Had to order a larger sized neck and rasp it down. This has been a learning experience mounting these southern deer.
I get lots of deer in with bald ears. Most of the ones I see have the hair worn off along the length of the ear. It matches exactly with the contour of the main beams. As the bucks swivel and move their ears back and forth it wears the hair off.
Take my advice, I DO know a thing or two about baldness, he he he!
Well, got it all put together tonight, the bald spot will be hidden from view. Talk about a pain in the a$$. I have never mounted a whitetail from the south before. That deer did not fit the form right, I fought every aspect of that mount. I must admit, I do like working on whitetail ears since they are so small compared to the mulies I usually do. I guess the hunt goes on for a good texas whitetail form.