How long can you wait to mount something?

[coreydb]

You'll probably be OK. My first mount is 35+ years old. Depends on the taxidermist and their methods as I read comments above.

 

[coreydb]

You'll probably be OK. My first mount is 35+ years old. Depends on the taxidermist and their methods as I read comments above.

Thanks Steve- this gives me comfort. My second mount from this taxidermist was the biggest buck I ever encountered- it's also an atypical. After reading the posts, I had visions of it crumbling like Imhotep did in the movie Mummy!

 

[steve white]

Great Googely Moogely, what a buck! Congratulations.
Worst case scenario--umpteen years from now you remount it with another cape.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Oh boy.....I'm worried about a couple heads I had done by a taxidermist who has a self contained taxidermy. Both trophies were ready in four months and looked great......are these going to be short-lived trophies?

You'll probably be okay. Most "home tanners" don't know what they are doing and it shows in the mount by the time it's done. If it looks great now it will.most likely look good in years to come.

 

[dlmac]

You'll probably be okay. Most "home tanners" don't know what they are doing and it shows in the mount by the time it's done. If it looks great now it will.most likely look good in years to come.

I home tanned a nice whitetail for a friend. It was done with salt and borox. Still looks good at 10 yrs. This was the only one I ever did or will do. Yes, I got the eyes right. This was actually more luck than any perceived talent. I would not do that on a trophy animal......maybe a couple of elected officals.

 

[buck wild]

The freezer question is a tricky one- dehydration being the issue. Old school freezers from the 80s or early are better for long-term storage than the newer freezers. The newer freezers are moisture sucking machines. If the animal or hide is heavily wrapped in plastic and other possible insulation (newspaper etc), then the longer it can stay frozen without "freezer burn" damage. So the answer is- it will vary. If you had called me for instance, I told have said bring it over, and we can evaluate when it thaws. That's the only way to know for sure.

As for the longevity of a mount, the type of tan is very important, but other variables, such as climate control, exposure to UV/ sunlight, smoke and humidity, will all shorten the life of a mounted specimen faster than a poor tan.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I home tanned a nice whitetail for a friend. It was done with salt and borox. Still looks good at 10 yrs. This was the only one I ever did or will do. Yes, I got the eyes right. This was actually more luck than any perceived talent. I would not do that on a trophy animal......maybe a couple of elected officals.

The eyes are tricky. It's good you got them right. Much "home tanning" is more of a pickle solution and the ears and lips are also tough to get right. I hate bad taxidermy and so.have never tried mounting anything bigger than a goose. I just didn't know how. I have quite a few shoulder mounts from the US and Africa but I always paid someone that did know how to get it right. I check out the taxidermist's work, then tell them to charge me whatever they think is fair and take whatever time they need but give me their best work. Pay once, cry once.