I am new people and did check the little orange button first.
I have a McKenzie form ,epply ears, do I cut out an area for them like the rayline forms have? And on the eyes do I build them out as they show in the issue 16 pg 26 of Breakthrough mag?Its my first bear mount and Its my largest bear I've taken, just want it to come out right i'm very picky like all of you.The cape is rehydrating as I write this,which leads to another ? can I refreeze it after rehydrating it?Thank you for your answers "OH knowladgeable ones"
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It's important to cut a pocket in the head form for the earliners.I usually cut a larger hole to and fill that with clay so I can have some adjustment room .I normally cut a hole app.2-2 1/2".Not sinking the ears into the head is why some bear mounts look too long-eared.The bottom of the ear opening should be close to the surface of the head when the earliner is in the pocket.You can even try the skin on the form and mark these locations by poking through the skin with a large pin or ice pick,if not sure exactly where to locate the holes.The eye sockets on the form are designed for you to place the eye directly,flush on the bottom of the eye socket.Then blend in by building the eyelids with clay.It doesn't take much clay.Use some reference for this.I looked at that article to see what you meant by building the eyes out.You don't need to do that.Most forms these days have "positive set" or "pre-set" eye sockets that already have the angle set for you.The McKenzie forms are this way.They are designed to cut out the guess work in that area.You will probably want to use less clay around the eyes than the article shows,also.You can re-freeze the cape as much as you want.If you are working on the form etc. and want to refrigerate it for a few days or so,that's OK too.Sand your earliners good before using them.I like a fast setting epoxy for the ear glue.Get some good ear,eye reference and go to town.
That's the best description that I've read on bears. I always chuckle when I see those big flag ears in a bear mount.
Thanks.It's a common mistake and understandable.Most people mount more deer and with deer,you seldom need to make a pocket.Different critters sometimes need a little different technique.In a few days we may need to answer form altering questions.Be ready.
Thank you all,
The reason I talked about the eyes like that was seeing the differance
in the RAYLINE form,compared to the McKenzey.Rayline seems to stand out more.or should I say seem to square out more . But I have done a number of deer so I can see what you are talking about. Almost want to get a Rayline change out head. Thank you all for the help once more!