When I was in SA a week ago. Got two kudu.One with horns in mid 40's.One with horns around 54..The bigger guys cape looks like its been through a mulcher.I mean,I know damage adds character,but to a point,you know...So what I'm thinking and was told by all ph's in attendance was put small cape on big horn, for shoulder mount...First question..Nobody where I live has a trained eye,so will they notice?ie will it look totally retarded?Secondly,my taxidermist here has said once they tan it get some form fitting measurements,so I can order your form,cause I'm from canada we wait 8 weeks for them. Which what numbers will he want to make things look right on the 45" cape going under a 54" horn? The 45" measurements or the 54"??????Hope I didnt confuse too bad.I just dont want to get something useless back here..The taxidermist over there said they would only know after they tan and get it 80% mounted..Man thats weird...I guess because of how hard it is for my guy to get forms,he has had to make them fit first time everytime. Not get part way through before he knew....PS. This is one of the more elite taxi shops near kruger,believe it or not

Mixing and matching capes and horns is not that uncommon. Taxidermists do it all the time. The important thing in your situation is body size of the two kudus. If you didn't do any field measurements on the neck and head size of the two kudu, what I would do is measure the skulls from the two animals, assuming you get the full skull back with the horns, and see if there is a big difference in the length of the skull. If they are close, there should be no problem. If the 40 incher is small in body size as well as horns, the finished mount probably won't look right if switched. Your other alternatives are to have your taxidermist get you another cape (your outfitter or PH should have volunteered) or do a European mount. Of course you need the form to fit the cape size, so order the size form for the cape you are using. A good taxidermist can easily alter a form to match the cape he is mounting.

There should be no problem using the best cape and the larger horns if you want to do it that way. They are both adult kudu and it would not look weird. Animals vary in size anyway. I have seen some old kudu with massive horns that were waisting away as far as neck size and body condition. As for the measurements of the skin, you should let your taxidermist do this after the skin has been tanned. If you are using the skin from the smaller horned kudu the measurements needed are from that skin. The most important measurement from that skin is going to be the circumference of the neck just below the ears. Lay the tanned cape flat on the floor (hair side down) and measure across the neck just below the ears. There are other measurements that can be helpful such as the tip of the nose to the front corner of the eye but a good taxidermist should be able to easily alter the form as needed to make it fit the skin.

Sounds like someone is trying to make things alot more complicated then it needs to be.

It's not a big deal using a different cape, even if it's a like smaller it will still look good, (if your taxidermist knows what he's doing). There shouldn't be that much difference in the size. before starting the mount, just looking at the cape, I know what I need to do with the form to make it work......