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.

Roll the deer onto its side, grab the esophagus with one hand and the rectum/intestine with the other. Pull hard. The deer's internal organs will come out in one big package with a minimum of mess.

In deer, this period can last between 12-24 hours and sets in when a carcass begins to cool. If venison is cooked during this time frame, prepare to sit down to tough pieces of meat. For more tender venison, butcher and cook deer after rigor mortis has reversed – when the muscles have had time to relax.

Current Pricing

Fortunately, Ashley Eve, a taxidermist in Oklahoma, polled taxidermists across the continent, including Canada. She asked what each taxidermist charged their customers. From 632 responses, she determined the average cost of a deer mount in America is $721.35.

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.

In this case, you remove the antlers, keeping them connected to the skull plate, by sawing down into the skull in front of both antlers and just behind the eye sockets. Then, another cut is performed from the back of the skull towards the nose, at an angle that goes approximately through the middle of each eye socket.

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

Snakes. Snakes are very difficult to preserve because they have complex musculature. When tanning the snakeskin, it loses its color and pigmentation. Taxidermists must meticulously paint each scale by hand to make the preserved snake look authentic.

What state is best for taxidermy? ›

Top 50 Highest Paying States for Taxidermy Jobs in the U.S.

Topping the list is Wisconsin, with Alaska and Massachusetts close behind in second and third.

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. Unfortunately, the length of time it takes to get a trophy back from a taxidermy studio is often long and frustrating.

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.

Equipment Needs. Along with the time commitment (around three to five hours per deer as a beginner), probably the biggest reason more people don't process their own deer lies in the thought that there is an expensive, up-front equipment cost. This is far from the case.