Horn Measurement

October 12th, 2023

Jul. 23, 1898 Forest and Stream, Pg. 65

Horn Measurements.

Editor Forest and Stream:
“Record head.” How shamefully this term is being abused, especially in the past three years; or since the giant moose from Alaska made his appearance in public and placed all former records (so far as moose are concerned) far in the shade.

What constitutes a record head? Certainly not the one that merely has the widest spread across the horns after being mounted, which seems to be the most popular plan of deciding by some innocent though wily taxidermists. Providing the head, or rather the horns, of a moose, elk or deer are measured fairly and squarely (for with these animals it is really the horns that are considered, generally speaking), several measurements are necessary. Many claim the largest head on record in consequence of the horns spreading to a greater width than any recorded. This means nothing unless . one simply wishes to claim the record for spread alone. This single measurement is of little consequence when taking into consideration general size, beauty, massiveness, number of points and weight.

A man might claim a record for horns bearing greatest number of prongs, or for horns with greatest length or greatest thickness or weight. Any one of these features alone does not constitute a “record” in the general acceptance of the term. For instance, one of the first giant moose heads that astonished the public was exhibited about two years ago. It was one of the Alaska variety, and before it was mounted was measured fairly by noted authorities on such things, for instance. Dr. Merriam, of U. S. Biological Survey; Hon. Theo. Roosevelt and Geo. Bird Grinnell, of Forest and Stream, men whose names and reputations would be accepted anywhere. The horns of this head, instead of having a tendency to spread apart, lay almost straight backward at direct angles with each other. Even in this form their greatest width was 7o 1/4in. This was, of course, remarkable and unheard of, but still wore so were the other measurements. The palms measured 29m. in width, not including the prong, or 85in. with prong (almost a yard), and each palm was 56 1/2in. in length (simply the blade, not entire horn). The circumference of the horn at the burr was not extraordinary; but the number of prongs was marvelous, the horns were very uniform, the weight was very great, and taking every thing into consideration the head and horns were allowed to be the largest and finest on record. Pictures and an account of the head were published by one of the leading sportsmen’s mediums, granting it to be the “record moose head.” But suddenly, owing to misleading pictures and statements, the glory due this head was doomed to short life, for the same journal in its follow ing number printed an illustration with an account of another Alaska moose head, with horns spreading 73 1/4in., the spread being the only measurement given; but it was claimed to be the “record’, regardless of other measurements, size, weight and general appearance.

This last mentioned head was sold for a large figure, and passed through New York for transshipment, and in order to satisfy themselves Forest and Stream had its representative examine and measure the head. Although he found the spread to be apparently 73 1/4in.-, the blades measured only 18in., or little more than half the width of the 7o 1/4in. head mentioned in their former issue. His own words to writer were that the head and horns were babies compared to the head the horns of which measured 7o 1/4in. And the paper very promptly and fairly acknowledged the wrong done. I merely cite this in stance to prove that the mere spread of horns goes for nothing, except as to that measurement alone. A man might have a swelled head and not hold the record for having the most brains.

Comparatively small, light-beamed horns might have an abnormal spread. In fact I have seen horns almost deformed by spreading remarkably wide apart. They were not necessarily large horns, but simply inclined to spread during growth.

In justice to all fair minded collectors and taxidermists I should be pleased to see heads and horns measured and judged according to their respective merits, by men whose knowledge and authority is beyond question. To avoid the devices of fakirs or unprincipled and unscrupulous men, horns should be weighed and measured in the rough, raw state before being mounted, as the natural skull can be seen and no deception can be used, such as has been resorted to recently to give spread and apparent size. The prices realized for the large Alaska moose heads were certainly very high, and such temptations are too great for some taxidermists to withstand.

Moose heads having an actual measurement of 48in. spread have been sold as 68in. and one head having an actual measure of 62in. was spread to 74in. by simply splitting the skull in the center, separating the horns, allowing them to spread to desired measure, and then fastening the split skull by blocking the opening in the center and bolting together. The scalp is, of course, then too narrow across the forehead and neck to be drawn over the falsified skull. This is remedied by skillfully setting in a piece from another scalp. This is most degrading to the art and profession of taxidermy, and disgusting to all fair minded people.

In the sportsmen’s exhibitions of this year, both in Boston and New York, five or six heads of the Alaska moose were exhibited. They certainly all had large handsome antlers, but they were all offered for sale at prices according to their spread, when not a single horn was fast to its natural skull. Everyone had been sawn off, drilled and bolted on to a large iron pin that protruded from the unnatural or improvised skull. Let us have fair judgment and fair measurements on heads and horns, taking all features or points into consideration, not any one single point. A horse, a dog, in fact anything is not judged to excel in consequence of any one or two points. Every point is considered and then judgment is passed as a whole. Horns by right should be weighed if possible, taking as a basis the horns and clean, dry skull. Where skull or part is missing, or where it is covered with the flesh, allowances should be made.

Moose horns should be measured for spread on straight line across widest prongs, width of palm following the flat surface at widest part with and without prong: length of palm in same manner, measuring on under side; entire length of each horn, beginning at extreme end of prong nearest inside, following inside curve to the burr; circumference at burr, also between burr and blade, and number of prongs on each horn; then with description of general shape, etc., the whole can be judged. With elk, the weight if possible; widest straight spread across; total length of each horn from longest point following inside curve to burr; length on curve of each pair of prongs from main beam to tip, beginning at brow prongs and numbering them first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and more if they have them: circumference at burr and just outside of burr; general uniformity, form and massiveness. Caribou are so peculiar in formation and so lacking in uniformity that measurements are difficult, but I would say that with spread, length’ of each horn, circumference and especially number of prongs and statement as to how evenly distributed with each pair of palms, width of brow palms, if two and if locked or folded, general massiveness and uniformity, they can be fairly judged. Deer can be measured and judged the same as elk. Mountain sheep should be weighed with dry, clean skull, largest circumference taken at base, greatest length of each horn on outside curve, and as the extreme large horns of this animal are usually worn or broken off at the tips, it would be fair to allow the blue ribbon to the horns with greatest circumference in conjunction with finest form and most perfect tips. Antelope should be measured as follows: Length of each horn on line of outside curve, spread, circumference at base, general form and appearance.

Skulls could be measured in length from base to nasal bone, and width across the eye cavity, where they are complete. But to take measurements of a mounted head in many instances would be ridiculous, as very few taxidermists have any idea of proportions and anatomy; and given a nice fresh scalp most taxidermists stuff it considerably out of proportion, it is so elastic; and consequently measurements would be a farce.

With buffalo, I would emphatically state that the only authentic measurements should be from the skull and horns. Other measurements should be given in the flesh and sworn to. The idea of measuring a buffalo head (excepting size and spread of horns) when mounted is positively ridiculous. The only fair way to measure heads and horns is in the rough, raw state, and not mounted. I trust that the above remarks will lead toward the solving of a very interesting question, that can be very easily adjusted and handled by the sportsmen’s associations of the different cities, official records being taken and kept, and that some influential sportsmen and lovers of fair play will interest themselves in seeing that credit is given where due.

Wm. W. Hart.

Horn Measurement

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