How To Do European Deer Mount

Table of Contents

How do you prepare a European deer mount?

European Mounted Deer Step 1: Harvest Game Animal Legally. Remove Head. Step 2: Prepare Head for Boiling. Step 3: Cook Meat Off Skull. Step 4: Clean Skull. Step 5: Wash and Degrease the Skull. Step 6: Whiten the Skull. Step 7: Prep Your Mount Surface. Step 8: Drill Your Holes!.

How much does it cost to European mount a deer?

However, the average cost for a skull mount is only $150 and includes a plaque or other mount. If wanting only the skull mount done by itself, it is closer to $75. For the serious hunter who consistently harvests a mature buck each year, it’s easy to see that it can become costly.

How much does a taxidermist charge for a European mount?

I would guess $50 to $150 depending on the plaque. If you just want the skull back, I would guess in the $50 to $75 range. A simple single panel plaque, $75 to $100, and a pedestal style mounting panel around $100 to $150.

Can you bury a deer head for European mount?

Easiest Way to Clean a Deer Skull: Part 1. The European Mounts are gaining popularity. You can bury the skull. Or you soak the skull in warm water for about a month (Maceration).

How long does it take to do a European mount?

In just 5 hours, you can have a European mount for your deer skull that you can be proud of. Time needed: 5 hours. Using your knife, remove the skin from the deer head and remove the lower jaw. Add 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap to the water in the pot you will boil the skull in.

How long do you boil deer skull?

Put the skull in a big pan and boil steadily until all the fat and flesh comes away. Be careful not to boil it for too long, otherwise the bones will start falling apart. The boiling time varies, but a deer skull takes between two and three hours. Make sure you remove all the fat and flesh from the skull.

How much does a deer head mount cost?

The long story short is you should expect to pay a minimum of $500 for a quality deer mount, and don’t be surprised if that figure pushes to $600 or more.

How long do you boil a deer skull for a European mount?

When you’ve got as much tissue out as possible, cover the skull — not the antlers — with water and a few tablespoons of Amway dishwashing powder or its equivalent. Boil or, better yet, simmer the skull for about 1-1/2 hours (less for a small deer, as too much boiling can loosen the fragile bone connections).

How long does it take to mount a deer?

The actual taxidermy work is amazingly quick. “Hands-on, about two and a half hours total to do a deer head.” “Takes three to four months to get my hides back from the tannery,” says my friend and taxidermist Lance Waln. “After that, it’s easy.

What are the different types of deer mounts?

Can you do a European mount yourself?

The critical first step in starting your DIY Euro mount is to remove all the flesh from the animal’s skull. You’ll want to start with a razor-sharp knife. If possible, remove all the external flesh, eyeballs and brain shortly after the kill. If time isn’t a luxury, freeze the entire head until you’re ready to flesh.

How long does it take for a buried deer head to decompose?

It will take about two weeks but the maggotswill eat everything clean including all the brain. Everything will turn to liquid. Your skull will be totally clean and then all you have to do is whiten with peroxide.

How do you seal a European mount?

The best for sealing is Polycrylic clear satin spray. Just use one light coat. I hold the skull by the rack and do it by hand. It helps to rotate as you spray and Continue shortly afterwards.

What do you put in the water when boiling a deer skull?

Start off by adding a generous amount of high-strength soap to a pot of water. I prefer soap on the first round to help pull grease out of the skull. Bring the water to a boil, then turn the dial back a small amount until the water is at a simmer.

How do you clean a rotten deer skull?

Rotting skulls are no fun to clean and may cause a revolt in the household. If the skull is malodorous from decay, it will be repugnant during boiling. In this situation, boil it on a camp stove outside, or in the garage, in a castaway pot. Immerse the skull in water and let simmer.

Can you taxidermy a human?

As far as I know, it is illegal to taxidermy or mount a human being in the US. Human skin discolors greatly after the preservation process and stretches a lot more than animal skin. This would mean that the maker would have to be very skilled in creating an exact body replica and painting and touching up the skin tone.

Do taxidermists make good money?

An average part time taxidermist who is not very motivated might make just $10,000 – $20,000 per year, while a devoted full time taxidermist can very easily make $100,000+ per year.

How do I choose a deer mount?

Know your poses Semi-sneak: The most realistic, natural look for a mount. Full sneak: A relaxed pose, good for rooms with low ceilings because of the lower head position. Upright: An alert pose, but be careful. Pedestal: Pedestal mounts come in both wall and floor/table pedestal styles.

Where should I cut for a European mount?

Cut connective tissue between the skull and the skin with a sharp knife. Cut the ears off as close to the skull as possible. While skinning the skull, remove as much meat and tissue as possible. Continue until all hide is removed from the skull.