How to Mount a Deer Head

Mounting a deer head is a rewarding process for hunters and taxidermists alike. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to achieve a professional-looking mount.

Materials Needed

To begin, ensure you have all the necessary materials:

• Deer cape (skin from the neck and head of the deer)
• Deer skull plate (top part of the skull with antlers attached)
• Form/mannequin (shaped like a deer head)
• Taxidermy eyes
• Clay (for sculpting around the eyes and nose)
• Adhesive (for securing the cape to the form)
• Sewing needle and thread
• Sharp knives and scalpel
• Salt (for curing the hide)
• Tanning solution (commercial or homemade)
• Bondo or similar epoxy
• Wood screws
• Mounting plaque

Step-by-Step Guide1. Skinning and Caping

Carefully skin the deer, ensuring the cape is intact and free of cuts. Make sure to leave enough skin around the head and neck to allow for proper mounting. This process is crucial for a good final product.

2. Skull Plate Preparation

Clean the skull plate thoroughly. Remove any remaining flesh and brain matter. If necessary, trim the skull plate to fit the form. You can use Bondo to secure the antlers to the skull plate if they are loose or separated.

3. Fleshing and Salting the Cape

Flesh the cape to remove all fat and muscle tissue. This is a critical step to prevent spoilage and ensure proper tanning. Once fleshed, heavily salt the entire cape and roll it up. Allow it to sit for at least 24-48 hours to draw out moisture.

4. Tanning the Cape

After salting, rehydrate the cape and then immerse it in a tanning solution. Follow the instructions on your chosen tanning solution carefully. Tanning makes the hide pliable and preserves it. This step can take several days depending on the solution used.

5. Mounting the Cape on the Form

Once the cape is tanned and dried, it's time to mount it. Carefully position the cape over the form, aligning the features. Use adhesive to secure the cape to the form, working slowly to smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles.

6. Detailing and Finishing

• Eyes: Insert the taxidermy eyes and use clay to sculpt around them, creating a natural look.
• Nose and Lips: Sculpt the nose and lips with clay for a lifelike appearance.
• Sewing: Carefully sew up the incision lines on the back of the neck and around the ears.
• Drying: Allow the mounted deer head to dry completely in a cool, well-ventilated area. This can take several weeks.

7. Final Touches

Once dry, brush the hair to restore its natural flow. Secure the mounted deer head to a mounting plaque using wood screws.

Step	Description	Estimated Time
Skinning & Caping	Carefully remove the hide from the deer's head and neck.	1-2 hours
Skull Plate Prep	Clean and prepare the skull plate with antlers.	30 mins - 1 hour
Fleshing & Salting	Remove all tissue from the cape and salt for curing.	2-4 hours initially, plus 24-48 hours salting
Tanning	Treat the cape with a tanning solution to preserve it.	Varies by solution (days to weeks)
Mounting	Fit and adhere the tanned cape to the form.	2-4 hours
Detailing	Sculpt eyes, nose, lips, and sew incisions.	2-3 hours
Drying	Allow the mount to dry completely.	Several weeks
Final Touches	Attach to a plaque and groom.	30 mins - 1 hour