7 Different Deer Taxidermy Options and Their Costs
Posted 2021-08-05T16:26:00Z
Which of these DIY taxidermy choices is your go-to deer mount option?
Taxidermy has a rich history in North America. It's been part of our deer hunting heritage for hundreds of years. Many people have had deer hanging on their walls for generations.
See, deer mounts aren't just trophies as some people falsely believe. They're preserved memories. They're something to spark thoughts of past hunts as we look back on days of years gone by. They're encapsulations of hunts we shared with family, friends and adventures alone in the wild. They're a part of deer hunting.
Here are some options, what they cost, and how you can keep your adventures afield alive long after they're over.
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Commercial Price Range: $50-$75
DIY Price Range: $10-$25
Want something simple? The antler mount is the way to go. It's cheap and easy to do. There's no waiting period either. A win-win in my book.
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Commercial Price Range: $75-$100
DIY Price Range: $25-$50
Like the skull mount? The synthetic route is an option. It costs less to have a taxidermist do a skull mount this way and the DIY route is a lot less messy than with a traditional skull mount.
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Commercial Price Range: $80-$125
DIY Price Range: $0
Want the real thing? The traditional skull or European mount is the oldest taxidermy option out there. You can do one yourself at home by slow boiling and pressure washing away the brains ... but expect a mess.
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Commercial Price Range: $400-$500
DIY Price Range: $100-$200
This is likely the most popular. The shoulder mount is most everyone's favorite. The cool thing about it? You can either have a taxidermist do it or go the DIY route (I recommend researching this skill a lot if you do) on this project, too. Rinehart and McKenzie offer great kits.
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Commercial Price Range: $450-$550
DIY Price Range: Varies
Already have a bunch of shoulder mounts and want something a little different with your next deer? The wall pedestal mount is a great option for really spotlighting a once-in-a-lifetime animal.
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Photo credit: Craig Watson
Commercial Price Range: $450-$550 (plus the pedestal)
DIY Price Range: Varies
Like a wall pedestal, the traditional pedestal is eye-catching. It takes up a fair bit of space, but you don't have to hang it on a wall, either.
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Photo credit: Michael Lee
Commercial Price Range: $1,500-$3,000
DIY Price Range: Varies
This is the big one. It's pricey. But I don't recommend the DIY route for this option (or the pedestal options). But dang does it look good.
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Photo credit: TheTaxidermyStore.com
