Shoulder mount

[Oldgold Buck]

I've never gotten a shoulder mount of any of my deer (as I didn't think they were big enough to warrant it) and I'm looking for guidance. If I were to kill one this year that I want to mount, what do I need to do after the kill in order to get it ready for the taxidermist or is it just something I can tell the processor to do? Thanks.

[gadeerwoman]

Most processors can cape one out for you if you ask them to...or at least cape up to the neck area. First thing is DON'T cut way up into the brisket/neck when field dressing. Stay behind the front legs. I usually leave about 8 inches of neck with the head and skin just behind the front legs..and take all that to the taxidermist. Better to have too much cape than too little. Triple bag it and put in the freezer if you can't get it to the taxidermist quickly. Leave it frozen then until you get it to him..do not thaw it out.

[abolt2506]

DO NOT CUT UP THE BACK ALLTHE WAY TO THE HEAD!!! I put that in caps only because my good friend is a taxidermist and i see them come in all the time cut all the way up the back, it is not ruined but it adds alot of work for the guy mounting it. It is almost unbelivable how small a cut is need to get the head and horns out.

[AWBOWHUNTER]

here's a tip most over look. be careful as to the manner you get the animal out of the woods, you can carelessly drag a deer through the woods and damage the cape and hair around the neck area. another good tip for a good mount is to pay close attention to the processor and mention to them to be careful with it as you would like to have it mounted. i have one mount a bow kill from illinois that when i dropped off the processor hooked it by the legs and dragged the horns apparently across 100 yards of concrete doing unnatural damage to them:banginghe.
also pick a very good taxidermist. in the long run it is well worth the extra money you might pay. there are several very good ones mentioned on this site, woodys, cranes, and mitches archery are just a few i would recommend. there are more i can't remember but ask for recommendations and see the taxidermies work first.
get the deer to a cooler as soon as possible and to the taxidermist as soon as possible as well. jmo:)

[4wheeling4life]

I know of a couple taxidermist who will help you personally cape it out. they are few and far between but they are a few out there.

[Taximan]

Take care getting the deer out of the woods.

Keep the deer out of sunlight.. such as riding around in the back of a truck showing it off. Get it to a cooler ASAP and show it off after the mount or better yet.. take pics and show them off instead.

Take and record measurements of your deer before it is caped.
circumference of neck right below the jaw line (smallest neck measuement), another one 2" below that and one more 2" below that one. Measure from the tip of the nose to the closest corner of the eye. Some like to measure from the tip of the nose to each tip of the antlers as well. This allows the taxidermist to mount the antlers as it was on the live deer and to order the correct size form for the mount.

Pick a good taxidermist.. not the cheapest and not the quickest.
Dont rush the taxidermist.. if he is busy then that is a good sign !!

Best advise of all... pick a taxidermist and processor now and ask them these same questions now.. before you have one dead on the ground. Plan ahead !!!

Good Luck getting your trophy this year... Sam

[Fortner]

Take care getting the deer out of the woods.

Keep the deer out of sunlight.. such as riding around in the back of a truck showing it off. Get it to a cooler ASAP and show it off after the mount or better yet.. take pics and show them off instead.

Take and record measurements of your deer before it is caped.
circumference of neck right below the jaw line (smallest neck measuement), another one 2" below that and one more 2" below that one. Measure from the tip of the nose to the closest corner of the eye. Some like to measure from the tip of the nose to each tip of the antlers as well. This allows the taxidermist to mount the antlers as it was on the live deer and to order the correct size form for the mount.

Pick a good taxidermist.. not the cheapest and not the quickest.
Dont rush the taxidermist.. if he is busy then that is a good sign !!

Best advise of all... pick a taxidermist and processor now and ask them these same questions now.. before you have one dead on the ground. Plan ahead !!!

Good Luck getting your trophy this year... Sam

AMEN, about the pick a good taxi and not rushing him, very good advice Taximan:bounce:

[BPR]

The only thing that I would add is that if you think that you might want to get a pedestal mount (one where the deer is turned sideways from a basic shoulder mount) make sure to take this into consideration when caping the deer or having the processor cape it out for you.

[Oldgold Buck]

thanks for the great tips and info. Keep em coming!