Deer Mount Types

Horn Mounts

• Horn mounts preserve a portion of the skull and horns on a wall plaque. A small section of the skull between the antlers attaches to a wood plaque with screws. A velvet or fabric covering hides the portion of skull. Taxidermists sometimes remove skin and tissue from the entire skull. The taxidermist whitens the skull before mounting it to a wall plaque.

Shoulder Mounts

• The term "shoulder mount" describes several taxidermy deer mounts. A short-shoulder mount -- or neck mount -- displays the deer head and antlers attached to a short portion of the neck. Depending on the length of preserved cape -- or deer skin -- the shoulder mount might extend just beyond the shoulders. A half mount extends beyond the front shoulder. Taxidermists confer with the hunter about neck angle before starting a shoulder mount. Common poses mount the neck turned to the left or right. Shoulder mounts hang directly on the wall or wooden plaque.

Half Mounts

• A half mount preserves one-half a deer, typically in an outdoor setting. Floor mounts typically display half mounts. Taxidermists recreate an outdoor setting -- often similar to the setting where the deer lived -- on a floor base.

  Professional installation is required if the half mount hangs on a wall. The weight of a half mount is much heavier than a shoulder or neck mount. If not mounted properly, the deer might fall to the floor.

Full Mount

• A full mount involves preserving an entire deer from head to tail. Taxidermists use a mold matching the size of the deer to re-create the animal. Nearly all full-mounted deer display as floor mounts. Wall-mounting a full deer requires building a strong platform on which the deer displays.

Traditional Versus Competition

• Some taxidermists offer traditional and competition mounts. Traditional mounts stretch the hide over a smooth mold. Competition mounts stretch the hide over a carved mold to replicate muscles and other details.