Just curious, If you killed a wall hanger (to you) it had some busted up points, if wanting to get it mounted would you have the damage repaired or leave it like it was, as this is the way it was when you killed it? Personally I like it just the way it is, and have one on the wall that had a snapped off brow tine. I also have his previous years sheds that had both brows snapped off. He was a scrapper and had a ripped ear and thats just the way I had him mounted. How bought you, whats your feelings even if you have never had the situation to decide on, but if it happened?
One of the bucks I shot in 2010 was severely busted up - G2 and G4 on one side were gone, G3 on the other. I got a Euro mount of him just the way he was. That's the way I shot him, and that's how he should stay.
I have not had this happen yet, but when/if I run across it I believe I will leave it as it was when I shot it.
I wouldn't fix it I don't think. Maybe it depends on if it was a deer I had history with. My dad killed what would have been a 140" ten years ago, but he had a busted off g2 and g3 I think, so I made a board up and put his and 2 other skull caps on it, it now hangs in our living room.
IF I had tons of pictures of this deer and it was a big "VERY" symetrical rack that I had been watching, hopeing to kill all year and when I finally got the lucky chance to say lights out I found out he broke his rack... I honestly think I would get it fixed.
I actually ran into this dilemma this past season. The buck pictured below originally had split G3's on both sides but one of them was broken off right at the main beam. If you look close at the base of the G3 on the left side you can see where it's broken off. I considered having it repaired, but decided that no one could say exactly how much antler was originally there. Besides, I have to agree with Justin: That's the way he was when I shot him and that's the way he should stay.
I believe I'd only fix it if it broke after the shot, either in his death stumble or dragging, etc. If I'm not happy with what he's got, I'll be passing the shot.
I have to say let it alone. even if I had a history with the deer and had tons of pics I would have him mounted just like he was when I shot him then print some of the better pics to put up by the mount.
Character is fine if the buck has character. Id let it be for sure but I stated earlier the circumstance it would take for me to have it fixed. I also agree with Fitz for when/if it was broke after the fact no mater what the rack size.
My largest buck to date has a busted G3 on the right side. gives it character and when i relive the hunt it makes me wonder prior to his demise if he won the fight or if he got wooped.
i say leave it how it was when you shot it/found it. i enjoy the character from different racks. the last few bucks ive shot in the past 3 years have all had something messed up with their racks.
Leave it the way I killed it.... shot a buck in 10' that broke about 6" off one beam on his non typical side a few weeks before I killed him, it was tempting to fix but I left him the way I shot him.
