This is my first elk mount. And it was skinned using a 7 cut. My videos all show how to mount capes with a y incision. What is the best method to get the rack bolted and filled to match the form quickly. Should I cover the cape with plastic so that it does not dry out. Any information is much appreciated.
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Being you are very new to this a 7 or a Y cut is the most popular cut and one of the easiest mounts to do.
Here is how simple it can be. Take the rack, and fit it on the form. Do what you have to, to make it fit the form the right way. Don't clay or paper mache the skull cap in yet, just bolt it temporary. Now take the cape and place it over the form next is to take the rack and mount it in permanently. Cover the cap with your mache, clay whatever use a good hide paste and mount.
If you don't like this method no big deal, just cut the cape all the way down and mount it as you would do it any other way.
Ok Ted, I'll give this a shot. I use the 7 cut on all my gamehead mounts. Once your rack is in place and the hide paste is applied, turn the form over upside down (may not be possible with an elk, in that case, just slide the hide on upright and pin in place...its just a little easier upside down.) Now slide the hide on and use pins to secure it all the way doen the seem. Roll the mount right side up, you may find it necessary to pin just below the ears so they don't fall. Now, on the left antler, or the left sie of the "7" push the needle through the skin side of the front tag end. Pull the thread through and leave about 7 inches hanging. Take the nedle end and goa round the inside of the burr, then shove the needle through the back tag end from the skin side. Now you can take both ends of your thread and tie them together. This will pull the hide around the burr tightly, make sure the skin is under the burr all the way around. Now sew across the forehead with a rolling stitch, needle through skin side then across and through hair side. When you reach the other side of the 7 you basically have three tag ends. You need to run the needle through the front end from the skin side, then through the middel end from the skin side, and then around the back of the burr to the last teg end, again from the skin side. Now, you can pull this stitch togather and the hide will be tight to the burr. Now, I start a baseball stitch from here to the end of the seem. make sure not to try to make too many stitches before pulling them tight. Four is usually the max. I don't think I conveyed the method too well in type here, but hopefully as you start on the sewing you will see what I mean. And it would be a good idea to cover the face of the elk with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out while you sew. Good luck.