How do you determine what to have mounted and what type of mount?

[Ravensview]

Okay this might be a little strange question, but I have often wondered about the above statement, I have been hunting for over 50 years and have only ever had one deer head mounted , I have a few skull mounts and a couple of rugs, the only head I ever mounted was my first archery deer, so hence my question how does everybody determine what they want mounted from their Safari and what Guides you as too mount type?

 

[mark-hunter]

Good question!

For local (home turf hunts)
Roe bucks - scull mounts. on plaque. (Made by me)
Small game animals, and birds - full mount.
Boar - tusks on plaque.

For Africa:
First, I had my list of animals I wanted to hunt, and bring home.
Then: I have chosen those that look most iconic, and most colorful as shoulder mounts.
The rest: european scull mounts.

After three safaris, it came down to 50% shoulder mounts, and 50% of scull mounts.

Considerations:
If for example, you choose to hunt springbok in 4 color variants - then there is no point in bringing them home as scull mounts. Need to be at least shoulder mount. Color variants go to shoulder mount without exception, or to single pedestal mounts.

If hunting Zebra for example, scull mount has no point.
Zebra will be full rag, or shoulder mount, or perhaps pedestal mount.

So, for some animals their colors (and lack of horns) make the decision.

Sable, roan? Most probably will be done in shoulder mount or pedestal mount, to emphasize the color of these fantastic animals.

Horns, tusks and antlers: If animal is known best for its horns, tusks or antlers - then scull mount can be considered. Kudu is antelope with longest horns in Africa, and in order to emphasize that quality, scull mount can be considered. Warthog, hippo, tusks display can be considered.

Small animal give opportunity for fanstastic full mount. Steenbok, perhaps.

Storage space at home is another consideration.
Smaller place - scull mounts.
Lower ceiling room, pedestal mount.
etc

Overall look of trophy room:
In my personal opinion, a nice trophy room should be split between rag, shoulder mounts, pedestal mounts, and scull mounts. Scull mounts to be placed on same type of wooden plaques.
This is my way of organizing things, but certainly not the rule.

 

[Philip Glass]

Okay this might be a little strange question, but I have often wondered about the above statement, I have been hunting for over 50 years and have only ever had one deer head mounted , I have a few skull mounts and a couple of rugs, the only head I ever mounted was my first archery deer, so hence my question how does everybody determine what they want mounted from their Safari and what Guides you as too mount type?

I advise that unless a guy is building a trophy room not to mount everything. On the first trip everyone says its "once in a lifetime" but then they go again. Mount what is most important, take a couple of euros, and leave the rest. But dont miss the chance to hunt because you are conflicted as to where to put the head!

 

[thi9elsp]

If there was something extra special about the hunt, the animal, etc. I did mounts. Elk (scored >340), Cinnamon black bear (Alaska coastal, squared 7'4"), Himalayan Tahr (stuck 2 1/2 days on mountainside in gale force winds).

Kudu, long tracking job. Zebra and Sable - I wanted a combination pedestal mount.

Everything else is euros - Cape buffalo, Livingstone eland, chobe bushbuck, common reedbuck, impala, Lichtenstein hartebeest, and multiple whitetail skulls / caps and stag horns, pronghorn antelope.

I do not have space for any more mounts. And, limited space for Euros. On our next safari I will decide to pay for videographer or euros. I'm leaning towards videographer; however, I may still want to bring euro mounts home and squeeze them in somewhere.

As I type this message I look around my den and enjoy the memories those mounts and euros bring.

 

[wesheltonj]

South Texas Deer 130+, small Elk - Antler on Plaque, Africa everything mounted. Usually, If I have to travel it gets mounted.

 

[Andrew62]

Money, space and desire are all things to consider when figuring out what to get mounted, and what to not get mounted. Having taken as many safaris as I have, I have learned to appreciate the experience.

 

[Red Leg]

Unless truly wealthy, eventually we all run out of space or money for more space. Photography, or as others have suggested - videography, is great alternative. Or we can quit hunting. I know two people who went to Africa, had life changing experiences, and won't return because there is no more room for the taxidermy. To me that is insane.

I build photo journals on Shutterfly after every hunt (or vacation with my spouse). When I pass on, all the mounts , Euro and full, become a burden. But hopefully, a grandchild someday may actually enjoy thumbing through a book about his or her grandparents' adventures.

 

[Rare Breed]

Okay this might be a little strange question, but I have often wondered about the above statement, I have been hunting for over 50 years and have only ever had one deer head mounted , I have a few skull mounts and a couple of rugs, the only head I ever mounted was my first archery deer, so hence my question how does everybody determine what they want mounted from their Safari and what Guides you as too mount type?

Everyone will have their own thinking and POV which is great! Here is mine
First I knew I wanted to mount the following when I first started: Kudu, Buffalo and Zebra rug. These were my priorities. I then took advantage for what Africa offered such as black and golden wildebeest different type of Impala spring buck, Nyala, Gems buck and bush buck.

the single most important thing I did before I did any of the above was determine where would I put them in my home. Too many people get things mounted and only then try to find places to hang them…big mistake!!! Next the Mrs Rare Breed had to be involved at the beginning not when crates show up so I could still be alive!! (I’m smarter than I look).
The next part is where I really learned…I only have a 12x18 office where we agreed to contain my mounts and rugs. I had width of walls but no depth…this determined that I needed pedistal wall mounts versus standard high depth mounts… the former do not stick out much from the wall. Instead they are more along the wall. (See my post trophy room 12x18 Rare Breed)

hope the above helps!

 

[Nyati]

In the end, it comes down to a question of space, I believe we would all like to have al our trophies mounted , but, do we have the space ?

For me it´s easy, all euro-mounts, and I will only keep one of each species, except warthogs and roe deer, which don´t take much space.

 

[Rare Breed]

Unless truly wealthy, eventually we all run out of space or money for more space. Photography, or as others have suggested - videography, is great alternative. Or we can quit hunting. I know two people who went to Africa, had life changing experiences, and won't return because there is no more room for the taxidermy. To me that is insane.

I build photo journals on Shutterfly after every hunt (or vacation with my spouse). When I pass on, all the mounts , Euro and full, become a burden. But hopefully, a grandchild someday may actually enjoy thumbing through a book about his or her grandparents' adventures.

+1 on shutter albums! I do the same and no longer bring back mounts…having said that I did get permission from Mrs Rare Breed to get a full body mount going in our farm cottage when and if I get my leopard

 

[meigsbucks]

Before going to Africa, I mounted just about everything. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of those… Don’t ask.
I thought my first safari was going to be my only one and mounted everything except for one euro. on my second safari, I took a number of species I didn’t take on the first. Most were mounted, but did a few euros. When I go again, I’ll mount the few species I haven’t taken before, possibly a few euros and the rest photos.

 

[Boyd Brooks]

I was limited by my wife’s “no heads in the house”! However from Africa I got a zebra rug, blue wildebeest hide and euro mount, kudu euro mount, duiker shoulder mount and a warthog scull. They were never displayed at home in Ontario but somehow are proudly displayed in our winter home in Arizona.
You only live once, do what makes you happy!

 

[mdwest]

I advise that unless a guy is building a trophy room not to mount everything. On the first trip everyone says its "once in a lifetime" but then they go again. Mount what is most important, take a couple of euros, and leave the rest. But dont miss the chance to hunt because you are conflicted as to where to put the head!

Completely concur...

I'd been traveling to Africa for well more than a decade before doing my first hunt on the continent... even though I had cumulatively spent well more than a year on the ground between all of the trips made prior, I, like pretty much everyone else, thought that first hunt I did would be a "once in a lifetime" type thing... and mounted everything taken (9 mounts total.. plus backskins from the shoulder mounts, plus flatskins from the euros, etc..)...

4 more hunts in South Africa, and a 5th already in the plans for 2023 (6 total) .. plus international hunts in several other countries, etc... clearly I was mistaken on the "once in a lifetime" thing..

Once the crate from the 2022 hunt shows up in a few months, we will be out of wall space unless we want the entire house done in some sort of hunting motif (we don't)... we already have mounts in the game room, the master bedroom, the spare bedroom, the office, and the den areas.. once the new stuff comes, I honestly have no idea where its all going... so... we are pretty much officially done with taxidermy unless something seriously special comes along in the future..

like @Red Leg we've been doing coffee table type picture books for more than 15 years for most of our international travel (outside of hunting).. Im guessing that's how we'll memorialize future hunts for the most part.. we've got some wonderful books made that provide great memories of running with the bulls in Pamplona, island hopping around French Polynesia, roaming around Mayan ruins in Belize, etc.. I think that's a great way to honor the animals, remember the experience, etc.. of a hunt (and much more cost effective, much more compact, and much easier to preserve over time... )..

 

[MPN]

South Texas Deer 130+, small Elk - Antler on Plaque, Africa everything mounted. Usually, If I have to travel it gets mounted.

I'm all about adventure/experiences and I struggle justifying the cash outlay for any taxidermy, which reduces my opportunity for further adventures. I do have 2 wall ped. mounts from my first safari and a few rugs/skins (Zebra, Hartebeest, Wildebeest, Impala). To this day I regret paying the $$$ to all required in order to get my trophies mounted and to me.

With that in mind, and as opposed to Wes, if I have to travel and can't bring the trophy back with me to clean up myself (Euro), it stays. To each his own.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Good question!

For local (home turf hunts)
Roe bucks - scull mounts. on plaque. (Made by me)
Small game animals, and birds - full mount.
Boar - tusks on plaque.

For Africa:
First, I had my list of animals I wanted to hunt, and bring home.
Then: I have chosen those that look most iconic, and most colorful as shoulder mounts.
The rest: european scull mounts.

After three safaris, it came down to 50% shoulder mounts, and 50% of scull mounts.

Considerations:
If for example, you choose to hunt springbok in 4 color variants - then there is no point in bringing them home as scull mounts. Need to be at least shoulder mount. Color variants go to shoulder mount without exception, or to single pedestal mounts.

If hunting Zebra for example, scull mount has no point.
Zebra will be full rag, or shoulder mount, or perhaps pedestal mount.

So, for some animals their colors (and lack of horns) make the decision.

Sable, roan? Most probably will be done in shoulder mount or pedestal mount, to emphasize the color of these fantastic animals.

Horns, tusks and antlers: If animal is known best for its horns, tusks or antlers - then scull mount can be considered. Kudu is antelope with longest horns in Africa, and in order to emphasize that quality, scull mount can be considered. Warthog, hippo, tusks display can be considered.

Small animal give opportunity for fanstastic full mount. Steenbok, perhaps.

Storage space at home is another consideration.
Smaller place - scull mounts.
Lower ceiling room, pedestal mount.
etc

Overall look of trophy room:
In my personal opinion, a nice trophy room should be split between rag, shoulder mounts, pedestal mounts, and scull mounts. Scull mounts to be placed on same type of wooden plaques.
This is my way of organizing things, but certainly not the rule.

I mount occasional heads for something special like my first buff, of my sable that went into the sable themed study, but mostly the hides get used in furniture, like the zebra ottoman, or impala chair throws.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Why yes, I do like my women on the "plus" side...

This has soooooo many variables. It seems to me subjective, like with women or art. For me - just Africa - I knew I was going to go with a shoulder mount for a kudu because I have wanted one my whole life. That now hangs on my office wall. Circumstance comes into play. I was charged by my wildebeest in very tight quarters, and it was an incredible first day hunt anyway, so while I had no plans for a wildebeest mount, he now hangs on the wall of my house. The rest I had planned on Euro mounts.

Side note: I am a taxidermist, though I don't currently have a shop. I have the horns/antlers from every animal I have ever shot. A pipe dream I keep saying to people is "someday I'm going to have shoulder mounts for every single animal." I am intelligent enough to know the odds of that happening are very, very small. Still, those words scare my wife.

 

[Ravensview]

Good question!

For local (home turf hunts)
Roe bucks - scull mounts. on plaque. (Made by me)
Small game animals, and birds - full mount.
Boar - tusks on plaque.

For Africa:
First, I had my list of animals I wanted to hunt, and bring home.
Then: I have chosen those that look most iconic, and most colorful as shoulder mounts.
The rest: european scull mounts.

After three safaris, it came down to 50% shoulder mounts, and 50% of scull mounts.

Considerations:
If for example, you choose to hunt springbok in 4 color variants - then there is no point in bringing them home as scull mounts. Need to be at least shoulder mount. Color variants go to shoulder mount without exception, or to single pedestal mounts.

If hunting Zebra for example, scull mount has no point.
Zebra will be full rag, or shoulder mount, or perhaps pedestal mount.

So, for some animals their colors (and lack of horns) make the decision.

Sable, roan? Most probably will be done in shoulder mount or pedestal mount, to emphasize the color of these fantastic animals.

Horns, tusks and antlers: If animal is known best for its horns, tusks or antlers - then scull mount can be considered. Kudu is antelope with longest horns in Africa, and in order to emphasize that quality, scull mount can be considered. Warthog, hippo, tusks display can be considered.

Small animal give opportunity for fanstastic full mount. Steenbok, perhaps.

Storage space at home is another consideration.
Smaller place - scull mounts.
Lower ceiling room, pedestal mount.
etc

Overall look of trophy room:
In my personal opinion, a nice trophy room should be split between rag, shoulder mounts, pedestal mounts, and scull mounts. Scull mounts to be placed on same type of wooden plaques.
This is my way of organizing things, but certainly not the rule.

Sounds like a good plan

 

[K-man]

The limiting factors are space and money. Only you can decide how much of both you are willing to spend. I have whitetail mounts on my walls from 20 years ago that were spectacular then, I am letting bigger ones than that walk today. With regards to Africa, at least send euro and flatskins back. No replacing them easily. My mounts bring back the memories of the hunt in vivid detail, so it's important to me. Quality pictures probably do the same. the one thing you don't want is regret.

 

[R.M.C.]

I have only been to Africa once ( so far ) and I only ended up getting my wart hog shoulder mounted out of eight animals. The rest got euros and tanned hides. Plus an ashtray made out of a zebra leg. I originally planned on getting the bush pig mounted but the one I shot was not very big so I may try for another next time. The wart hog was the one animal I day dreamed about killing as a little kid so that was getting mounted no matter what, even though my home is packed with various mounts, deer, bear, hogs, turkey, javelina, bobcat, coyote, etc. I would never let space on the wall factor into my decision to hunt certain animals, I would like to hunt a large male giraffe if I can save the money to go again in the future. Personally, I'd only get a couple shoulder mounts of the important animals to you and just get some euros done with the rest.

 

[mark-hunter]

Sounds like a good plan

Thanks, and already basically accomplished, after 3 safaries.
Now second plan is to build new trophy room. This is yet to be. Now only as idea.

Will reduce trophy collecting soon.