Framing/Construction Advice for Trophies?

I am currently building a "great room" addition to my house. The ceiling is vaulted and about 13' at the peak and 9' at the walls. There will be a stove pipe right up the middle of the exterior end wall where most of the trophies will be placed (virgin trip next year). The drywall is scheduled to go on next week, so I was thinking about toe-nailng some 2x6s between the studs to ease the hanging of trophies , Any suggestions as to how to go about doing this (ie- spacing, quantity, distance from the ceiling, etc.)?

Thanks-

We put 3/4 plywood under the drywall. Makes a few things like electrical boxes a little more time consuming, but there is no guesswork to hanging anything. Also makes the wall very strong.

Pacontender, that is a great idea!

Trying to figure out where to put the blocks without having the mounts is a crapshoot. You could probably get by with 1/2 inch.

That's exactly what I did on our trophy room, similar deal a little taller have I 31ft at the peak. but I can't count the number of times I've been told by the taxidermist and myself how glad I was to spend thextra on the 3/4 plywood under the sheetrock. I put the trophies where the look the best and not just where the stud was. Definitely do the plywood, you can thank us later

i used 10 ft walls and high ceilings.used sheet rock on ceilings for bright purposes then used 3/4 by 6 in t@g poplar boards (common grade-ie knots and streaks in wood) for all walls so i can hang anywhere. hope to get mounts back this month from a may 09 hunt. good luck on your room and even better luck on your hunt. smokepole

My room isn't even started yet...(kitchen and bathrooms first per wife). But if you want the look of drywall that plywood is a great idea. Go with the 3/4 inch. Or if you like the wood look go with the wood on the outside of the studs. I have 1x8 ruff cut elm boards at my cabin, at a 45 degree angle on all the walls. As far as the wood costing moore, try Craigslist. I have seen some ruff cut timber a few times. Cherry, black walnut, oak. Only a few hundred dollars. Timing has to be right though.though. Just some thoughts. Your choice!

Yep, did the 3/4 plywood behind the sheet rock myself. I did note were the studs are as well and placed my big stuff like eland and elk on big lag bolts through the plywood and into the stud. I can hang a head anywhere in my game room without worry.

Originally Posted by Pacontender

Trying to figure out where to put the blocks without having the mounts is a crapshoot. You could probably get by with 1/2 inch.

DO NOT go with 1/2". Taxidermy forms themselves come with 3/4" backboards and large game forms come with a double backboard, for a reason! Dont risk your Kudu mount to save a couple bucks! Doing it right the first time is always cheapest!!! Mounts like Sheep, Elk, Moose, Eland, Kudu should be hung with lag bolts not screws but on a 3/4 " plywood wall they would probably be fine with a strong wall anchor installed to properly distribute the weight to the plywood. Do not cheap out, I have fixed several mounts that were inadequately supported and I can tell you that no one brings in a wrecked head for repair with a smile on their face.