I was just lookin for some input here... Why is it that i measure a cape (whitetail) just like it says to do in the supply catalogs and then i order 2 manakins and they come no where near fitting? 3 inches down from ear butts is the correct measurement if i am not mistaken.. i measure 22 inches at this point, tug the cape snug but not tight, and i get the manakins and they dont even come close! Whats the matter?
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glad it isn't just me. I thought it was the way that I tanned it and maybe it shrunk. I don't know
The measurement of 99% of deer following the neck from where the chin intersects neck and where brisket intersects neck is 15 an 16 inches.
So my suggestion is to lay your cape flat so that the neck at chin and start of brisket is 15-16 inches. 15 on small bucks and 16 on monsters. Now as the neck lays measure it... that is your ticket.
Also, not all deer are exaltly alike, nor forms.... some forms just don't fit the deer in your area...cause...just cause... good luck...
That measurement should NEVER be the one that they use in selling mannikins. The measurement directly under the chin NEVER CHANGES. During rut, the 3" down the neck one is always much larger than when the animal was in it's summer hide, but guess what? Directly under the chin never changes. Suddenly now the manufacturers are listing this critical measurement as "D" and that useless neck measurement as "C".
Vook, try measuring you're mannikins when you receive them.Some companies arent even close -toooooo bigggg!Most of the companies are real close to advertised measurements, some arent.I order most of my forms from McKenzies and dont have any problems-I do order a lot of the forms 1 inch smaller in the neck so I dont have to worry about fighting to get it over the mannikin -also note that some catalogs will tell you full swell ,semi-swell ,ect... this makes a lot of difference in the fit.
I know how you feel when you order a form wait for it to come in and are already to mount it, then it doesn't fit! Your title said it all. I had that same problem when I first started mounting deer. The positive thing that came out of it though, was that I now have several extra forms laying around. So if I have a question about the size, I can test fit the cape on a couple of different forms and get a better idea of what to order.
I am not saying that you should buy a bunch of forms. Sometimes it just works out better in the long run to keep some of them, instead of sending them back and paying shipping. Good Luck!
The deer in my area in Missouri dont seem to get as "swolen" of necks. But almost 95% of forms are sold that way. It seems like everyone I ever ordered was way too big even when I took the measurements like the company instructs. I have a mounting video where the guy actually takes an atv inner tube and puts it into the cape, inflates it and lets it set for about 20 minutes to stretch the skin. I tried that but still had to shave down the form a little. I think I am going to start ordering my forms quite a bit smaller and if I need to build it back up I can. I think that would be easier than fighting the skin trying to get it on.
You guys have to think about what your doing. First of all what is a mannikin. It's the deer without the fur on it, already skinned out.
Measure your deers neck, after you've skinned it. The hair on the deers neck can give you a false measurment. It's the same way when you do a carcass cast. You don't cast the bird, or animal with the fur and feather on. Your casting the body. Thats the reason the casting always fits close to perfect. Try it.
Coyote
Good point coyote I guesss we all just overlook the basics. Atleast I know I did (LOL)
I should also state the fact, that when a lot of people get a deer in that the neck has already been removed. And it's been sitting at the processing plant, and a few days sitting in a cooler. They just measure the hide without stretching it. You have to stretch the hide before you measure it due to shrinkage. Follow a few of these steps, and they should solve your problems.
Coyote
The forms always fit for me......then again I open my capes all the way and I measure straight across2 inches under the ear butts. Never had a problem. Now when using tube skinned capes that was another story!
What kind of measurement tape are you using? steel carpentry type or a fabric type that has inches on one side and metric on the other side, I find the fabric type a lot better than a steel one as the steel mesurers tend to give you inacurate measurements when going around a surface such as a manikin, also pay attention to the deer hide measurements take the c measurement and the D measurement,when you get more experienced you'll be able to just look at a head and guess measurements , ususally I'm right 9 out of 10 when guessing sizes.
how do u field dress a deer? its my first time going bow hunting an i want to do it right. where is the brisket? wat do u take out of the deer?
thanks...
Casey