ok, I am doing a small 8 point, and when it was in my freezer, the freezer somehow got unplugged and the deer cape was ruined, I told the person about it and they wanted my to order another cape and still do it, so I order a similar sized tanned cape, i'm pretty sure it was commercially dry tanned. The guy gave me the measurements and I ordered the mannikin of that size. so I rehydrate it, in salt and water for about 20 minutes, put in a plastic bag, and put it in the fridge overnight. Next day I go to mount the deer and the cape isnt even close to fitting on the mannikin, the face part seems pretty close, but it will not go around the neck. The neck measurement the guy gave me was somewhere around like 21" or something like that, but after I pulled it back off the mannikin I measured it, it was like 16.5". Did the cape shrink after being tanned or what? I need a way to get more stretch out of it or somethin, cause there aint no way I'm gonna find a mannikin 7.5"x16". Please any ideas would help, thanks.
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Have you contacted the seller to ask his opinion? That's where I would start. That's a big discrepancy in measurement. I hope he has a good reputation.
How much salt did you add to the water? A couple of handfuls to three gallons of water is enough. Did you let it drain really good before bagging it or did you bag it good and wet before placing in the refridgerator? That's important. It needs to be wet overnight. Is it shaved thin? Where was he taking the measurement compared to where you are taking it?
It is suggested to rehydrate the cape before ordering your form as too many variables come into play with different tans. Some people just don't know how to use a tape measure. It could be an honest mistake. I ordered a mule deer cape once and got an elk cape delivered instead. Sometimes items are mislabeled and the seller really thinks what is labeled is actually in the packaging. In big shops, where many hands are involved during this busy time, mistakes do happen.