My question is what is the average eye size for whitetailed deer, 30mm or 32mm sounds right to me, but Im just getting started so Im not sure. thanks.
Return to Deer Taxidermy Category Menu
Here in Central TX, most of the deer I mount require either 26/28 mm or 28/30mm eyes. The split is about 50 - 50. Now if I get a buck in from Kansas or deep South TX, the eye size moves up to 30/32mm. The farther north you live, the bigger on average your deer are going to be, which means your eyesize will be larger.
Since you are just starting out, you should have about five pair of each size from 26/28 mm to 30/32 mm on hand. In time you will find out what eye size the majority of your deer require. It all gets easier with more experience.
Also, when you order the deer form that is necessary for your deer mount, it will say on the side of the order number which eyesize is required for that particular form.
When you order your manikin it will tell you what size fits. Order that size. Thats all you need to do. Maybe order a second pair incase you drop one and break it.
are the only eyes I use for commercial work (T32). I think size only matters in cases of serious competion or a very unusual specimen. With the trueyes you just have to enlarge the opening on the manikin and find the correct depth and rotation that you want.
Good luck and have fun.