I've gotten video's and check the search button and I still haven't found a detailed way on how far back to cut the skull on the antlers and most of all the setting of the antlers the proper way and measurements. Can someone that has a very detailed way of knowing how to cut & set the antlers & with some measurements please help me. If not if you know of a very detailed video or something to help out would be great.
Thanks, Kris
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Just measure from the base of the antler to the tip of the nose, and from the tip of each main mean to the nose. That gives you back and forth, and tilt.
If you can't do those measurements, just cut the skull to what you think is close, then test fit the cape on the form and see if the skull flap matches with the bases. Dennis Behn demonstrates this in "Whitetail mounting basics: available from McKenzie.
When you get the deer in before you start skinning take a measurement from the front corner of the eye to the antler pedicle.
That will let your skin fit great when go to mount.
Also take a measurement from each anler tip to the center of the nose.
Good luck, Jim
But look at your manikin. When you go to remove the antlers, set your saw half way between the antler burr and the eye orbit. Cut down at a 90 degree angle to the slope of the skull/nose bridge line. On the back of the skull, find the small proturbance or "button" at the base of the skull plate. Cut right through the center of that structure on a direct line to the center of the eyeball. I seldom have to grind or resaw anything by using that method. Still, I measure as Drew describes so I can get the proper tilt on the antlers. Many "uninformed" customers will want those beams parallel with the nose bridge and they seldom are. I take those measurements and have them ready to show the customer when he questions if they are "set far enough forward" or not.
If you cant get that measurement from front corner of eye to burr,
2 3/4 inch is a safe bet. I always "cheat" the antlers almost 1/4 in. closer to the eye corner. This keeps the skin loose & prevents the skin from pulling around the eye & antler burr. You can also "cheat" & set them a tad low for the same reason. I also take all measurements from the front corner of the eye. This is a constant point "middle of the nose" is to vague. Also measure to both burrs they arent always the same.
When you cape the head out, take a picture of the side view of the skull while the antlers are still on it. Take several pictures of several deer after you have caped the skin off of them. Study the pictures and you will see a patteren as the tilt is the same as on a young buck vs. a large buck. If you need photos, let me know and I can e-mail them to you.