Taxidermist mistake with my 2014 buck. Thoughts wanted... I took the buck I shot the beginning of last month to my taxi for a euro mount. BSed, filled out the papers and left. A few days later he calls me and says that his shop help cut the antlers off of the skull by mistake thinking it was to be a shoulder mount. He is a good friend of mine (and has done I think 10 shoulder mounts for me over the years) and basically says **** happens and it was a mistake (which I understand and didn't give him any grief over the mistake). He offers to mount the antlers to a plaque, or attach the antlers to one of those plastic skulls for free or a "deeply discounted" shoulder mount. I had my mind made up that I wanted a euro as wall space is limited where I keep my mounts... What would you do in this instance? I just don't know about the idea of having a plastic skull displayed. Looking for thoughts and opinions.
Honestly, unless it was really nice rack, I would just take it back and toss it into the pile with the rest of racks I have. If it not something you wanted to mount original I can't see wasting space and doing a shoulder mount. Ask him to give you a credit for the discount he was going to give and use it toward future work.
Yep, discounted shoulder mount. Or, what about a plastic skull cap wrapped in a canvas or leather? Side note, how did I miss that you shot a buck?
Depending how much of a discount; shoulder mount. But, I would be upset friend or not. Glad they were able to admit it - but could have been a little friendlier about it rather than crap happens! Though, something neat like this would be cool.
I agree, I would take the cut out rack, mount it on a nice piece of weathered barn wood on your own. Skip the plastic and metal fake crap...fake looks fake no matter what. Then ask for a credit towards other work. ...the discount will be really nice when your looking to mount another. **** happens ...make the best of it
No plastic for me. I would go with the antler's on a plaque. I have my smallest buck that way and it looks sharp with leather covering the skull cap. Did you keep the cape? I would imagine not if you intended the European mount from the beginning. In that case, the taxidermist may have trouble coming up with an extra cape that is close to the size of your buck. If that is the case, every time you look at you will be reminded of the mistake his shop made. Do the antlers on the plaque and save the discount for the next one.
Cut the horns off the skull plate and use them for rattling antlers or another of those cool table lamps you did years ago. Save the discount for next years buck.
If he has the cape from your deer I'd go with the shoulder mount. If not I'd get one of these: Skull Cap | Skull Hooker | European Skull Bracket System, Skull Hanger, Deer Skull Mount, Euro Mount, Antler Mount
Not sure if you would want something like this (substitute choice of backer and canvas style, but you get the idea)?
I would be bummed about not getting my Euro because wall space is at a minimum but I would probably end up going with the discounted shoulder mount or see if I could just get a credit for my next "mounter"
Scott, do you have any non-shoulder mounts currently on display? I could see that affecting my decision as well.
