skull or shoulder mount

[eSJay]

Haven’t killed a deer worth mounting in many years. Still considering a shoulder mount, but a professional skull mount at minimum.
I know there’s a big difference money wise, so looking for a good taxidermist in the metro area that can do either.
Thanks & HNY!

[eSJay]

Sad sad sad...This place is officially “dead in the water”
2 days have passed and not a single opinion.
What a difference 2 or 3 years makes!
RIP MS DUCKS.
You are missed by many.

[gps4]

i'm in the same boat as you. I can't decide whether to skull or shoulder mount this one i killed the thursday before christmas-





biggest i've ever killed, but not exactly what i was looking for as far as a shoulder mount goes. I've got a buddy that does damn fine skull mounts that will do it for free. i figure i can always shoulder mount it later on.

[pondman]

Gps,

I'd shoulder mount that one in a heartbeat. May never see another one, much less kill another one.

Stacey,

Call Dan Heasley in Raymond. He does a great job. Tell him you got his name from me. I'm probably about to take something to him.

Pond

[stang67]

I’ve always felt like shoulder mounts are what you do with your few personal bests. But I’ve grown to really like a clean, tasteful (no rebel flag hydro graphics) Euro mount. Lately I’ve seen some really nice pedestals and barnwood frame-like backdrops that look very nice.

GPS, I wouldn’t hesitate to do either with that one of yours. Cool racks like that do well with skull mounts because you can put them in places where folks can see them up close. Generally shoulder mounts get put up out of the way due to their bulk.

[SB]

Ellis Solomon in Brandon is another option. Heassly has been in the business for years.

[mshunter77]

I have seen Solomon’s Work and he does good work. I beleive the other guys stuff I have seen is Roger Carpenter.

[mshunter77]

GPS I personally would think that deer would make an awesome looking skull mount. I like skull mounts better with those types of freaky deer.

[lilwhitelie]

Haven’t killed a deer worth mounting in many years. Still considering a shoulder mount, but a professional skull mount at minimum.
I know there’s a big difference money wise, so looking for a good taxidermist in the metro area that can do either.
Thanks & HNY!

For shoulder mount Ellis Solomon or Dan Heasley will do you well.

But when you start talking skull mounts it's a new ballgame. Many people skull mount deer for side income and I was once one of them. To do one correctly it takes a lot of time and patience so let me tell you what to look for when you go look at someone's skull mounts. I wouldn't take one to anybody without viewing several they have done recently. First is feel the nasal bone and structure between the eyes to the forehead.Also check the very tip below nose in front of teeth. If it's loose and brittle they left it in pot too long and may have glued it together. Next look close for any yellow spots which will be grease spots. At first they will not be yellow but just off white. This means they didn't degrease it well. Some just forgo that step and put flat white spray paint on it. My biggest pet peave is stained horns. If you have a white horn deer look at the bases up to brow tines and see if you see a water mark. Seen that a bunch on some that put a bunch in one pot and let em go. Doesn't show up much on a dark horn deer but will be noticeable on light horn deer. No way to fix it with stain either to make it look right. Many will use stain to fix horns if they get whitening agent on them. A good skull mount will be solid as a rock since it won't spend much time in pot to make bones brittle. I know it takes a lot of time and is a nasty job which is why I only do my own. Just a few tips to look for when you go shopping for someone.

[eSJay]

Now we’re talking like the old days!
Y’all must have just needed a jump start
Ended up taking it to Soleman's after reading some old posts on here.
Hung out there a while talking to Ellis & Mary.
Great folks! There was a guy in the same boat as me in terms of deciding which way to go.
Ended up talking ourselves into a shoulder mount (assuming my cape is sufficient).
Basically $370 difference between euro & shoulder mount, so the way I look at it is this.
It’s the best deer I’ve ever killed and i have some history with him, plus the score was respectable, so what the hay.
GPS - I can’t really help you decide, but I’m like the other guys, it would be cool either way.
Very unique deer! Congrats!
Stang - speaking of skull mount pedestals, this one I did myself a few years ago.
It was the first one I’d ever attempted.
I was in a creative mode on this particular day as well as feeling a little sentimental about the two men (no longer with us) that sparked my love for the outdoors.
I made the base from a cedar post in my Granddaddy’s dilapidated smokehouse & the upright post from an old cedar fence post on my Dad’s property.
I was pleased with how I turned out, but most of all that I was able to pay small tribute to Daddy & Granddaddy.
***edited with re-oriented picture***

[lilwhitelie]

Now we’re talking like the old days!
Y’all must have just needed a jump start
Ended up taking it to Soleman's after reading some old posts on here.
Hung out there a while talking to Ellis & Mary.
Great folks! There was a guy in the same boat as me in terms of deciding which way to go.
Ended up talking ourselves into a shoulder mount mount (assuming my cape is sufficient).
Basically $370 difference between euro & shoulder mount, so the way I look at it is this.
It’s the best deer I’ve ever killed and i have some history with him, plus the score was respectable, so what the hay.
GPS - I can’t really help you decide, but I’m like the other guys, it would be cool either way.
Very unique deer! Congrats!
Stang - speaking of skull mount pedestals, this one I did myself a a few years ago.
It was the first one I’d ever attempted.
I was in a creative mode on this particular day as well as feeling a little sentimental about the two men (no longer with us) that sparked my love for the outdoors.





I made the base from a cedar post in my Granddaddy’s dilapidated smokehouse & the upright post from an old cedar fence post on my Dad’s property.
I was pleased with how I turned out, but most of all that I was able to pay small tribute to Daddy & Grandaddy.

48035B23-15C3-4939-8D0B-763FC99CAFA1.jpeg

You mean you didn't just drop it off and leave at Ellis??? Man you can't step foot in that door and not stay for over an hour. Not sure how he ever gets any work done. Don't get any better than him and Mary. If he meets you once he will never forget you.

[eSJay]

You're right about that! First time I'd ever met them & they act like they've known me forever.
If you havn't heard Ellis' story about his encounter with 2 drag queens in Wal-Mart, ask him the next time you see him!

[msudawg8087]

Just for future reference if people are looking... I'd like to put a vote in for Tim Little out of Florence. My dad and I have taken a few deer to him over the years and he does excellent work. My dad killed his biggest in '94 and that dude still looks as if he's about to step off of the wall. My two biggest were done by him in 2010 and 2013 and they also look great.

[JLT]

Euro mount.....I have a lot of shoulder mounts, but euro's work better for me now. They take up much less space and are easier to hang and maintain over the years. You can always shoulder mount it if you change your mind. Keep the cape and freeze it.

[Hole Hunter]

Your skull mount is cool Stacey. The story that goes with it makes it that much better.
WDE anyway.