Deer Mount

Question for you deer head guru’s. I picked my mount up yesterday, something didn’t look right with it but I just firgured that maybe it was because I hadn’t seen it in a while. I got home and measured the inside spread which was 20″ when I shot him. It measured 17 inches and the brow tines were now about 2 inches apart compared to 4 1/2″ when I shot him. Now I know that racks shrink some when drying but this doesn’t seem normal. My other two racks that are headmounted didn’t shrink nearly that much. So what do you guys think? Did he brake the skull and try to fix it when he put it in the mold??
I would like some input.

Thanks,
Brent

Is it the right horns ? Do you have pictures of the rack in tact ? I would start there. If he broke the skull, I would think he could make it right. Something doesn’t sound right here…

big g

Sounds like a broken skull and he wasn’t sure how wide to mount them. I’d call him ASAP and let him know what wrong and offer to bring in a bunch of pictures and measurement for him to use as a referance to reset the antlers.

Yup im with caincando…call him asap and express your problem in a prof. way….If you are able I would talk to him in person. If hes a good tax. guy he should work with you…good luck

Yes it is the right horns. He only lives a half hour away so I think I will take it down there along with the green score sheet and pictures. Hopefully he can go off of that. Pretty frustrating. Went from a 154″ deer to looking like a 130″ deer.

Thanks for the input guys.

I can’t see a skull plate shrinking that much! And if he did happen to break them they would still be the same distance apart when put back together unless a section out of the middle was lost. I would go back and talk to your taxi. guy and find out what the scoop is!

Brent, There is absolutley NOWAY this is a shrinkage problem! He had to of broke the skull plate and even if that was the case it is a easy fix, especially for a compitent taxidermists. It makes me wonder how he stores them during their drying process? I don’t even know how it would be possible to mess that up of all things. He probably will say that is how it was brought in as its only repairable if he tears the cape off the form, makes adjustments, throws cape away, as it is now junk, puchases a new cape for you and if it was a large one they’re pricey, probably have to buy a new form also. I guess I’m just saying it will cost him $$ to make you happy. I’d love to see just what the skullcap looks like at this point. Good luck and stay away from this taxidermists in the future. If it were me I’d blow a gasket!!!!!!

I”m with the other guys on this, and am sorry to hear of the obvious rack changes. hope this taxidermist can be honest with you about it.
In my 30 years of Taxidermy, and over 20 years as an official Mn Deer Classic Measurer, racks change just a little while drying, never alot. and the drying difference before and after drying is only seen when measured again, there is NO visual difference.
Keep us updated, and let us know what you find out.
Jack..