Mckenzie Mounts Deer (2024)

FAQs

How many hours does it take to do a deer mount? ›

It takes me about 30 minutes to prep the form and set the eyes. I can work the cape and mount a deer in about one hour and 15 minutes. Let it dry for about two weeks, then another 30 minutes for the finishing touches. Hands-on, about two and a half hours total to do a deer head.

The most common poses are the upright, a tall and majestic pose; the semi-upright, which is a little more relaxed; the semi-sneak, which is a very natural-looking pose; and, the full sneak, like you would see a buck when he's chasing does.

Make the first cut all the way around the animal, in a circle, behind the front legs. Make sure you have enough skin for the taxidermist to work with. It is better to cut too far back, than to cut the skin too far forward. Remember that skins for shoulder mounts must NEVER be cut in front or at the throat.

Semi-Sneak = This position the head is a little lower and further from the wall than the semi-upright position. Full Sneak = In this position the top of the head is at or below the back, sort of straight out from the wall.

The deer stiffens during rigor mortis in the 24 hours after being killed. If it is processed during this time, the muscles shorten and contract causing the meat to become tough. You should let your deer hang for 2 to 4 days at minimum before processing to avoid this.

With proper care and knowledge, your taxidermy mount can last a lifetime! Find out more about handling and hanging your taxidermy here.

Mix three drops of dish soap in a bucket with warm water, agitating it to create a sudsy solution. Saturate a clean sponge in the soap solution then squeeze out the excess solution so it is damp but not soaking wet. Use a wiping motion following the lay of the hair to clean the mount.

If you have a great drop-tine on the right side, you probably want a left-turned mount. Anyone looking at the deer will immediately notice the drop-tine on the exposed right side. If you have a deer with a huge spread, you probably want a forward-facing mount to emphasize the spread.

What is a western deer mount? ›

Skull mounts are sometimes referred to as European mounts, western skull mounts, or western mounts. They are a large portion of taxidermy work. Only the skull of the animal is displayed, which will have horns, antlers, or nothing attached to the skull depending on the animal.

You can make your own skull mount in a couple days but it will likely take weeks or months for a taxidermist to finish one.

With an industry standard anywhere from eight months to two and even three years, taxidermy is a master class in patience.

Some trade schools and colleges offer intensive two-year programs in taxidermy, which can be an alternative to a long apprenticeship. The typical trade program will train you how to use tools and chemicals to treat carcasses, make mounts, construct artificial habitat, and restore color, among other things.

The process of mounting the fish can take 4 to 5 weeks.