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Another superb Whitetail Deer buck, done for my best client – Jeremy Semelsberger. This time, he told me he wanted something “different” … we went through my ‘Coombs Classics’ catalog, and came up with one of their “Steppin’ Out”, Aggressive pose headforms. So, here, I introduce … “Angry Buck!”
I must say, I keep seeing many Deer mounted on these headforms, and they are ‘lifeless’ … they are just another Deer head mount … without expression, or indication that the animal is pissed! More and more, are using the pre-made ear butts in the ‘aggressive’ pose, and in doing so are missing the mark! Deer are more than capable of laying their ears near, or downright right against the back of their neck when angry! The look that misses the mark when using a pre-set ear butt instead of customizing the ear butts with a soft filler for ear butts such as clay or an ear base material.
Raised hackles should DEFINITELY be incorporated in any aggressive, agitated or angry animal! This was accomplished with not only back brushing with a cat wire brush, but also while using steam in the hair with a commercial style steamer. This was repeated over the course of the first three to four days, followed by simple back brushing alone.
The color in the ears is not paint. Instead, I add red flocking to the epoxy adhesive used to secure the ear skins to the earliners … Polytranspar Epoxy Adhesive or Magic Smooth. This … in combination with pinkish pre-colored earliners from Ohio Taxidermy Supply – OTS … allows the color of the ears to come from withing, avoiding a painted look, resulting in a much more realistic looking ears!
A decent eye roll, and built up brow muscle structure are some of the prerequisites during an agitated, aggressive posture. Notice the crown hairs have been raised as well.
Other areas of hair back brushed and set on a more upright or raised track, are the tops of the ears, the cheeks, sides of the muzzle, and along the lower jaw line.
As always … on our log walls, this Deer stands out. Even here, he looks angry!
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