Earliner Sizing & Selection

How to select the correct Natural Choice ear liner and ensure a proper fit

Natural Choice ear liners originated from carcass casts of actual animals. As such they are as individual as the animals themselves.

Left as is Natural Choice ear liners will provide a distinctive, attractive and anatomically correct look to your mounts. But because like people no two animals are exactly alike, Natural Choice ear liners have been designed to be easily modified to fit each individual animal.

Use the following steps to assure the best fit possible for your ears.

1. After removing the cartilage from the ear skin carefully measure the length from notch to tip.
2. Two width measurements have been listed for width on each Natural Choice ear liner.
   The first is simply the width at the widest point measured straight across the front of the ear. This measurement however does not take into account the size of the conch of the ear which in extreme cases can vary by as much as 1/2" in circumference. This Measurement can also be difficult to accurately take on a tanned cartilage due to the lack of memory of its original shape, it is equally difficult to take on heavily haired specimens, even when fresh, so a second and more reliable measurement has been included.
   The second is the most reliable way to determine the width of the ear. While holding the cartilage in approximately its natural shape measure the circumference of the ear at its widest point. This is generally at about the mid-point of the upper flap.
3. Using these measurements refer to the size chart and find the ear liner closest to the measurements you have just taken.
   We recommend using first the length measurement. If your ear is in between sizes it is usually best to select the next smaller size. However if it is close and matches the width better then the larger size may be selected and trimmed to length. We do not recommend trimming more than 1/4" of length from large ears (Mule deer or elk sized animals) and 3/16" or less less on smaller ones.
   Be aware that trimming length may also change the look of the ear.
   Due to the naturally tapered thickness of the Natural Choice ear liners and the fact that the circumference of the inside of an ear is somewhat smaller than the outside. The following method of trimming for size and shape is recommended for best results.
4. Mark the length of your ear on the liner. Using scissors cut the end of the liner off square at your mark.
   Do not worry about shaping the tip at this time.
5. The butt of the cartilage will now need to be cut off at the notch. It is best to angle this cut somewhat toward the tip and then back down to the notch on the far side to allow easier positioning on the ear liner.
6. After removing the butt from the cartilage we will now place the cartilage on the back of the ear liner.
   Align the tip of the cartilage and the ear liner.
7. Hold the tip in place and align the upper edge where it begins to roll down into the upper flap.
8. Trace the upper edge of the cartilage onto the ear liner.
   Very little if any should be removed from the upper edge in most cases.
9. Refer to the circumference measurement taken before removing the butt of the cartilage.
   Mark this width on the ear liner.
10. Align the tip of the cartilage and ear liner.
11. Hold the tip in place and align the lower edge of the cartilage with the notch using your mark as reference to ensure the cartilage is not being distorted.
12. Trace the lower edge of the cartilage onto the ear liner.
13. Following the inner edge of your mark, trim the upper edge of the ear if required.
14. The amount of material removed from the lower edge of the ear will vary depending on the preservation method used. Most commercially tanned skins will have good stretch and very little shrinkage so trimming on the inner edge of your mark is sufficient.
    Some preservation methods are prone to varying degrees of shrinkage. As such the amount of material removed from the lower edge of the ear will also need to vary. In any case use your traced line as a guide and trim as much width from the lower edge of the ear as required to compensate for this shrinkage.
15. Slip the ear liner into the re-hydrated skin and make sure that the skin lays in a relaxed manner over the entire ear liner. If using a preservation technique that results in increased shrinkage ensure that enough slack skin is available to compensate.
16. Lightly sand the inside of the ear liner to taper to your new edge.
    If you have cut through any veins a quick rub with sand paper or steel wool will taper them nicely as well.
17. A unique feature of Natural Choice ear liners is their ability to be reshaped to your specifications.
    Refer to the Natural Choice ear liner custom shaping tutorial for more information.
18. Refer to the How to mount on Natural Choice ear liners tutorial for mounting recommendations.

Antlers West Taxidermy
c/o Steve Tait
7592 S. 2350 W.
West Jordan, UT. 84084
Phone#: 801-694-1553
Email: awtaxidermy1@hotmail.com