European Mounts (i.e. Beetles)

[Zach Matthews]

Anyone know what the cost is on having a European skull and antlers mount made? I know beetles are typically involved. Where would you take a deer skull to have this done? Do you boil it down first?

I haven’t got any trophies (nor am I likely to) but one likes to be prepared for this sort of thing.

Thanks,
Zach

[Phil Brna]

Call a local taxidermist. I suspect the cost where you live is way less expensive than the cost where I live. A buddy has a European mount of a dall sheep and I really like it.

[Phil Landry]

If you can find one, naturally depends on time of year, find a giant ant hill and bury it in there!

[Stuart Weniger]

Zach
You may have a local taxidermist that can do this or send it off for you but if you want to save some money you can do this yourself. There are many companies that specialize in this type of skull cleaning. You can start your search by going to http://www.taxidermy.net and look at skull cleaning under the suppliers tab. I recommend two that I have used over the years that produce museum quality work and you don’t have to worry about the skulls coming back with bugs still in them. They are Montana Skull Works in Libby Montana and Skulls Unlimited in Oklahoma City. Both should have online pricing. All you will need to do is freeze the skull then ship it UPS or FedEx on a Monday so it will be received that week and does not sit around on a truck over the weekend. I have shipped hundreds of skulls this way.

Good luck in your search.
Stuart

[Zach Matthews]

Very interesting, thanks everyone. Stuart, how have you shipped hundreds of skulls? Are you doing a LOT of hunting? Anyone know the rough cost of a European mount treatment like this?

Also has anyone actually tried burying it in an anthill?

[Stuart Weniger]

Zach
I was a taxidermist for 40 or so years (now retired) and over that period of time I have done many many european mounts, and had a lot of African skulls cleaned. During that time I have tried many different types of cleaning (no anthills) from boiling to just rotting them in water to hanging them in a tree for nature to takes it coarse. The beetle method is less messy and gets a quality job.

The cost usually depends on the size of the skull mount and if you want both top and bottom jaw cleaned. There is also many options to have them camoed, metal plated, mounted on a panel etc. It’s been a couple of years since I sent any off but at that time wholesale costs were around $70.00 to $120.00 for the top skull and about another $25 or so for the bottom jaw (prices vary depending on the size and service provider). Then additional if you want any other treatements.

I hope this helps.
stuart

[Zach Matthews]

Very helpful Stuart, and what an interesting job. What was the craziest or most difficult mount you ever did?

[Stuart Weniger]

Zach
The craziest was a baboon sitting on a toilet for a clients guest bathroom, and the most difficult was a couple of life-size elands, just because of their size.

[Zach Matthews]

THAT is crazy Stuart! I missed this response when you made it. A baboon on a toilet? What the heck?

[Author]

Posts