Non-Typical antler placement

Wouldn't you just measure the eye to burr on the cape and make sure they are the same as the form? Did you take any other measurements before you skinned out the head? i.e tip of main beam to tip of nose, etc. It helps to line everything up and only takes a few seconds to write down. Just the way I was taught.

 

Without a actual measurement which I'm guessing you dont have its just that, a guess. If I were the one doing the guessing I'd say you still have them layed back just a little to far. Looks like the eye to burr distance will probably be close but make sure you test fit that with the cape before you set anything in stone. Thats my best "guess", if you have or cdn obtain pics of the deer in the field that may help you get them close as well.

 

Best you can tell from the pics, it looks like they are layed back just a little IMO. If you dont have measurements I'm sure whoever killed him has plenty of pictures. Nice buck, I love all non-typicals. See if you can get some photos from the hunter and post some pics when you get him finished. Good luck.

 

If you have the measurements go with them, i'd say from the pic you posted they do need to be leaned foreward twards the nose slightly. Good job getting those measurements, a lot of beginners will overlook that, I know I did when I started out and spent a lot of time guessing at my antler set. It's easy to overlook, but a poor antler set can cause so many problems with the rest of the mount that taking the short cut of not measuring is just not worth it!

 

You say you did take measurements from tip of beam to the tip of nose? That should help, but they look like they are leaning back too far to me, even when compared to the photo you have. In the future take a profile photo for reference. The one you have is a little difficult to go by, but if it were mine I would tip it forward a bit. If it were me...

 

Also does the bone suture line flow to the mannikin? From the profile look, it appears that the front of the skull plate may be slightly low? No sure.

 

Looking at your pic, the piece of skull looks like if the rest of it would still be there, it would need to be tilted way up. Tip the antlers forward, Like others have said.

 

You should be able to make a straight line from the bottom of the antler burr to the front corner of the eye and then to the front of the nostril. If I didn't explain it right then here is a picture. I'm no expert, but this is what I've heard from a Judge. You can use a ruler(or anything with a straight edge) to check if it lines up properly.

 

Put the cape on the form, and let the cape tell you where the antlers go. You don't need measurements if you have the cape. Test fit the cape, pin the eye skin in place on the form, then slide the antlers in and see where the burr skin needs to go, lower the rack, or trim the front of the skull cap to fit. Piece of cake, you do not need any measurements.