I just got my first ever mount back from my taxidermist, and while it looks like he did okay on the details, I'm not too happy with the overall mount. A friend of mine got his back a month or so ago from the same taxidermist with the same problem. The bucks we killed were full rut, complete with big swollen necks and they were both mature, big bodied deer. The mounts we got back look like they were mounted on forms that would be suitable for maybe a northern big doe. Look at this and tell me what you think: Here are some of the kill pictures:
The mount does seem to look a little smaller but also could be because of the mount style you picked out. Did you pick what position you wanted the mount in.
Definately a thinner neck. It never hurts to take a few measurments of the bucks neck in the field, so you can relay that info to the taxi.
I find picking the actual mount to be the hardest part. I have a few in different styles and now base the style on the looks of the antlers. I think it looks good however, not being happy with your trophy is a downer. My first big buck was taken during the rut as well. I remember my uncle seeing the mount when finished and he said, boy...the taxi could have used a bigger mold to make the neck bigger. To me, it looked right and that is all that counts. Hopefully after you look at the mount a bit more, it grows on you.
So am I, Tony. Could you expound on that a bit, though? Are there some detail flaws I'm not seeing or are we both turned off by the same thing, which is that the mount looks kind of wimpy while the actual buck looked beefy.
I'm sure it will grow on me, and looking at it it does look good, but other than the antlers it doesn't really look like the buck I killed. It's the same cape after all. I do know that. It has the same marks and split ear. I guess I can live with it. What choice do I have.
Well that is my main issue, but there seems to be something off with the skull cap ... I can't put my finger on it .... that neck is pitifully small tho ... his head looks out of proportion ...
I think the mount itself looks good, but I do agree the neck seems to have shrunk back to a pre-rut almost pre-season size. I'd say if you like the guy's work just make sure to do some neck measurements from now on in the field and relay it onto your order form...sorry man.
Thanks for the feedback Tony. Yeah, the neck is really thin, but I do have to admit that a tiny part of it on a couple of those pictures is the camera angle. There's no getting around it, though, this is a neck I'd expect to see on a buck here in August.
I already know that I won't be using this fellow again. A friend of mine took his buck to the same guy and had the same problem. If I'm not mistaken, the taxidermist was the one who caped his buck out, so you KNOW he had to have the correct measurements. Ah well, I guess we all live and learn. I guess that anytime you get into something new there are always pitfalls to watch out for.
At the end of the day, you still have the horns (and thats what counts). He didnt mess that up and to the average/naked eye the mount still looks good. I wouldnt be too concerned unless the price was steep compared to others.
Yeah, to be honest I'm disappointed, but I'm not really that upset. If you look at the second pic of the mount taken from a bit further away, the mount itself does look good. As to the price, I paid $385.00 for this mount. Since this was my first I have no idea how that stacks up against other taxidermists. I can't help wondering if the forms with the thin necks cost less than the big, full rut forms. Now if I found out that this was just a way for the taxi to make a few extra bucks, I'd be thoroughly pissed.
Your mount does not look right. I think the neck should be bigger. Usually, after they cape the buck out, the measure the hide across the neck just under the jaw. This is where they get the form size from.....22", 24" etc. To get in the ball park, I measure around the outside of the neck just under the jaw while pulling the tape kind of snug. One thing to keep in mind is that the capes will shrink. Often, a form will be ordered a size smaller than the "wet" measurement so that the cape won't pull apart at the seam after mounting. It is tempting for hunters to want the biggest neck size form for their buck but common sense should be used to ensure that the mount will look right. Again, something went wrong with your mount.
Thanks, Greg. I guess that's really kind of painfully obvious, isn't it? So, does a 24" neck form cost more than a 22" neck form?
