I am looking for a form that will give me the most realistic look for a deer that was taken in Mississipp. Its a nice 130's class, and I have a cape for a 20inch neck. This is my first shoulder mount. And I do want something that is easy to work with yet I dont want to cut too many corners. So my questions!
1) What brand or style form is best for the southern deer?
2) What is a brand or style form that is easy to mount onto, Yet at the same time I can still learn alot from?
Thank again for all the help.
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You should look at the Meder series or Ben Mears, they are the best forms on the market. These forms cost more than the other forms but they are worth it.
Personally, I don't think there IS one. I've used them all and I tend to be more impressed with foam consistency than I am with detail. Once you put the hair on, they can all either look the same or look different, but usually because of YOUR technique,not the mold maker. Joe Coombs makes a "best" while Danny Foster,McKenzie, Van Dykes, Research, John Rinehart,Jonas, Rinehart and a few others make the "best" ones as well.
For your first attempt at a deer, you can go out of your way to round up the "best" of everything, and because you have not mounted a deer before, your trophy will be a mile of first timer mistakes and you will be very disappointed. You should do three or four practice deer first before you spoil your trophy deer. You may be a hyped up about doing your own deer, and unless someone with some teaching skills is looking over your shoulder guiding you, it will be nominal or score 50 out of 100 at best. It is not the form that makes a mount pop, it is the experienced craftsman. A beginner can take the best of materials and not come close to experience with the worst of materials. Do not get caught up in the "needing the best) when starting out.
I agree with Mr. T that you should try a practice deer or two first. Even if your practice deer comes out great, your next one will be better and you'll learn from your mistakes. Just keep your trophy wrapped up nice in the freezer, it can wait a little while.
Talk to all your buddies everyone you know that hunts and tell all of them to save their capes. When i first started this is what i did and before i ever attempted a customer mount i had several practice mounts under my belt. Never think you know everything always be open to suggestions and listen to peoples suggestions. If you have a deer that you are proud of i would definately not make it your first mount. Deer season is just around the corner you can wait a few more months. LOL but i cant i got too many deer to finish up before i get swamped again in Oct.-Feb. Small game will also help you greatly b/c you are having to do such tedious work and fine detail. when you jump up to a deer sized animal it makes them seem huge! as well as jumping from deer to say an elk!