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This altered form open mouth summer whitetail deer mount was done by Ohio taxidermist Dave Hyer. Read his techniques by clicking here. here
The critique was written by artist, taxidermist, judge and Georgia resident Rick Carter.
This web site, Hide Tanning and Taxidermy is sponsored by
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Some of Rick Carter's contributions to the advancement of modern taxidermy include:
Whitetail deer, elk, wild boar, mouflon/corsican sheep, javelina, pronghorn antelope mannikins, whitetail deer and wild boar ear liners, wild boar taxidermy video reference, live whitetail deer video reference, whitetail deer nose reference casts, deer and elk foot mannikins, mannikin scratcher and wild boar glass eye design, jaw sets, and wild boar noses.
All the components and reference material above are available from WASCO.
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The ears came across too white. Use a good reference picture beside the mount.
The ears look nice and thin on the edges but It is impossible for me to check for shrinkage and drop-offs at the edges without touching them. At least the hair patterns looked OK. The hair inside the ear opening could have been groomed a little better. It looks like the hair is somewhat outside of the ear near the gland.
Work on earbutt anatomy and shape,especially on the back of the ears. I could not see any definition where the auricular muscles tie in to the back of the head.
There is also a lack of detail at the zygomatic arch and scutiform cartilage area.
A velvet deer is hard to mount so you would pick up some bonus points for difficulty. You would also pick up a bonus point for the open mouth.
Assuming there is no drumming or seam, the deer would probably score in the low 80s at a state show.
Good luck and NEVER give up.
Rick Carter
PS. It was Glen who said you wanted me to be brutal !
