How to Mount a Deer Head
Hunting for survival and sport are common throughout the world and while some still hunt to feed their families others hunt for prize and sport. Deer hunters and taxidermists have for long worked hand-in-hand when preparing trophy-sized deer head mounts. A great way to show off the large prize kills for any sport hunter, mounting a deer head has become an art form and a lengthy process as well. Mounting a deer head is a skill and requires much patience and practice to perfect, correspondingly multiple attempts in deer mounting may have to be made before you're satisfied with your work. With a few basic instructions, any hunter can be on his way to mounting his prized deer head.
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Instructions
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1
Order a deer mount mannequin form from a prospective retailer or taxidermist in specific dimensions of the size of the actual deer head. Make sure the dimensions are accurate for proper fitting.
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2
Use a propane torch and burn the mannequin form all around the surface. This process will enable easier sanding of the form.
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3
Sand the form to a smooth finish and make detailed grooves using a rotary tool around the eyes, nose, tear ducts and mouth. Dig out the nostril holes with a knife and then use a speed septum tool to create the nose septum in the foam ensuring that the septum is centered.
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4
Remove the cartilage from the deer headskin or cape and insert the earliners and test to ensure appropriate fit. You can trim the earliners to fit by sanding or whittling then rub adhesive all over the liners and insert them into the earskin. Form the skin around the earliners to ensure proper anatomical fit.
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5
Slide the cape onto the mannequin and set up the ears proportionately. Pull the cape tightly over the form and set the antlers onto the mannequin form. Ensure that the antler skull plate is flush with the top of the mannequin form and use an adhesive bond (bondo is fine) to set the antlers into place with anatomical correctness. You can drill small holes and screw the antlers into place for better security.
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6
Pull the cape back off of the form and apply a thin layer of modeling clay around the eyes and nose and in the eye sockets. Smooth the layer of clay into the detail grooves you cut earlier. Place the plastic eyeballs in the eye sockets using adhesive and ensure that the pupils are parallel to the ground.
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7
Rub hide paste over the entire mannequin form then slide the cape back onto the form and fit the skin into the detail grooves. Tuck the skin into the grooves around the eyes nose and mouth ensuring to line the skin up with the hair patterns on the cape in respect to the detail grooves. You can obtain a taxidermist tucking tool to help tuck the skin into a tight fit.
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8
Sew the back of the cape up along the Y incision of the cape using a small appropriately colored thread and a six-0inch needle. Apply hide paste to the neck of the form and slide the rest of the cape down the neck of the mannequin form and staple it into place on the bottom. Wet and smooth the hair by brushing in an anatomically correct direction until flat and smooth.
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9
Attach the mounted deer form to a wooden plaque of your choosing and allow it to dry for two weeks. You can then hang the deer mount on the wall.
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