My question is on ear postition of an openmouth coyote jumping after a pheasant. I used to tell my cutomers that with a mammal, such as a fox, it would be UNNATURAL to position the ears forward when it is openmouth and jumping after a bird. Then a customer insisted that I do his fox with the ears forward. Much to my surprise, I actually found reference pictures of this actually happening. Also to my surprise, It really looked good with a red fox.
What do you think about a coyote jumping after a pheasant with it's ears forward? I can't really visualize it. Do you think it would be unnatural? I'm using the coyote form out of Van Dykes last catalog. I forget the sculptors name, but it appears numerous times in the catalog.
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...I just went through. I found pic's of both so I guess either way is correct but I opted for the ears back on my coyote. If you e-mail me I can send you a pic (Van Dyke form) it's not detailed yet but that don't matter.
Do it the way he wants. Dogs, foxes, coyotes, all move their ears at will.Just 'cause you never saw it happen, the ability to do it is there, so it could happen. Good luck...JL
Evidently both ear positions are correct. So do it the way the customer wants them positioned. He is the one paying for the mount so he should have a definite say so in the ear position. I've seen picturs of coyotes with their ears alert when they jump after a mouse. Afterall they listen for the preys movement under the snow or grass and then pounce on it(without being able to see it first). With the ears back they wouldn't be able to trace where the noise is coming from and would miss their prey.