Spread shrinking 3inches??

[Mxracer532]

So I gotta a ?, I had the Velvet deer seen in my Avitar mounted. a year or soo ago and got to looking at in on the wall a few months ago and something just didnt look right. So I measured the spread and sure as *censored* it was only about 21in wide and I know for a fact when I killed the deer it was 23 1/2in.
So heres how this all went down, the velvet got ruined on the pack out so I had to have it sent out to have artificial velvet sprayed on. Taxi said no biggie at all and cut the skill plate in half to box up the 2 sides to ship out. I was concerned about cutting the skull plate but was assured it would be exactly the same. So a few months ago when I discovered this I called him up (my 2013 deer is at his place getting done now) and he says no problem bring it in we can check it out. So long story short he took it apart and swears he did it correctly and that there is NO POSSIBLE WAY this deer ever measured 23.5in. So after several minutes of me getting pissed off after what I felt was me and my dad and brothers, freinds ect who all know what it measured being called liers he said fine we can spread it to whatever you want but its gonna cost you cause its a pain in the ass to do I eventually left to brew over it some more at home. haha
Anyone have something like this happen. I understand a rack will shrink (SOME) but 3in seems a bit excessive to me.

[270Shooter]

I don't know much about taxidermy but I think the problem is when he cut the skull plate in half.

[JohnVH]

and they do shrink, my brother said his lost like 4", another guy with an elk said his shrunk ALOT

I cut boards and put them in my mount this year, and asked the taxi to leave them in.

[hunter399]

I guess have your taxi measure before he cuts it in half next time and write it down .Then there wont be problem

[Mxracer532]

I guess have your taxi measure before he cuts it in half next time and write it down .Then there wont be problem

Thats exactly what I told him when he said it wasnt his fault and wanted to charge me. Anytime a skull plate is cut measurements should be taken. PERIOD!

[jrebel]

Why do they cut the skull plate?  How can they legitimately score a head if the skull plates are being cut?  I guess I was under the impression that a taxidermist didn't need to cut the skull plate to mount a head....  I would like to hear from one of the taxidermist on this so I can learn something.

 

[hunter399]

Did for cheaper shipping costs i woulnd bet

[Mxracer532]

Why do they cut the skull plate?  How can they legitimately score a head if the skull plates are being cut?  I guess I was under the impression that a taxidermist didn't need to cut the skull plate to mount a head....  I would like to hear from one of the taxidermist on this so I can learn something.

It was only cut to ship to have the artificial velvet done.

[jrebel]

Why do they cut the skull plate?  How can they legitimately score a head if the skull plates are being cut?  I guess I was under the impression that a taxidermist didn't need to cut the skull plate to mount a head....  I would like to hear from one of the taxidermist on this so I can learn something.

It was only cut to ship to have the artificial velvet done.

Yeah...that would bother me.  If it were cut and not put back to it's original spread....I would be upset.  I have never been a number guy until two years ago...I am trying to change my ways.  I have found the numbers have ruined me to an extent.  I wish I would have never started looking at animals and computing numbers based off their antlers.   I hope however it works out...you still know you killed a stud deer.   

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

 
I know if you saw a 23" 1/2" long 2X4 in half, the glue it back together it will be 23"1/4"...
Now figure cutting through the skull plate, lose that 1/4" and then make the antlers a little more upright...would not take much.

[Killmore]

You may want to apologize, They can shrink that much.

[Mxracer532]

You may want to apologize, They can shrink that much.

why would I apologies when it was 3in narrower then before the skull plate was cut? Measurements should have been taken and it put back exactly where it was. Besides I never said he did anything wrong (besides not measuring before & after).

[jrebel]

Can we see pics of the final product?  I love velvet mounts.

[jackelope]

Once the skull plate was cut, shrinkage goes out the window...however.... How long after you killed it did he cut it in half?
It could have shrunk in that amount of time.  They do shrink which is why there's a mandatory 60 day drying period  before it can be officially scored...
SO I guess what I'm saying is...did it shrink before he cut it/before he measured it?

[Mxracer532]

Once the skull plate was cut, shrinkage goes out the window...however.... How long after you killed it did he cut it in half?
It could have shrunk in that amount of time.  They do shrink which is why there's a mandatory 60 day drying period  before it can be officially scored...
SO I guess what I'm saying is...did it shrink before he cut it/before he measured it?

Im pretty sure we cut it not long after it was killed.
I will see if I can find a pic. Taxi still has it