Buck I mounted

[oldrank]

I just finished this buck up. I feel he turned out ok. I have taken on a few more practice projects for friends n family. I am trying to sharpen my skills. I feel I am getting close to start some professional work. The only way to get there is to keep knocking out heads. I have 4 lined up to go and a room full of old racks I can mount if need be.



Finished up another northern pike replica too. I'm still making mistakes but learning. I feel every mount is better than the last. I give alot of respect to the guys that do this for a living.

I think my long term goal is to enter our state competition. Maybe next year.

[Ghost Hunter]

Those are looking good!

[Findian]

The buck looks good, I’m thinking about trying to do my own head mounts this coming up year. About how much did it cost you to start? And how much does it cost you to do your own mount after you have your tools?

[oldrank]

The buck looks good, I’m thinking about trying to do my own head mounts this coming up year. About how much did it cost you to start? And how much does it cost you to do your own mount after you have your tools?

For tools it wasn't much. I had most of the stuff laying around. As for any special taxidermy tools I pretty much make everything. If a guy started from zero it probably wouldn't be 200 dollars to get everything I use.

Doing the mount is another story, it cost me about 350 in materials. That's thread, bondo, clay, eyes, ears, cape cost/tanning cost, form, paint n so on. That's my way of doing it. If someone was super crafty n skinned and tanned ur own hide that would cut cost....there are ways to do everything cheaper but I am still learning the basics.

$350 sounds cheap compared to the cost of a pro...but now figure in labor and artistic skill and that's where they make the money. It's definitely an art form and labor intensive.

[Jackson Marsh]

Nice

[Birddog00]

Looking good, definitely a beneficial skill to master!!

[purebowhunting]

Nice work! I did one mount so far, it turned out OK but made a lot of mistakes I'll clean up next time. It was a fun experience, but I just did it to do for myself, not professionally ever. I could see how doing it for competition could be fun! Hope you keep enjoying it!

[Edcyclopedia]

[stash59]

[Moose]

Looks great to me