How To Clean A Taxidermy Deer Head

If you're a hunter, you likely have some type of fauna hanging on your wall at home. Yous've worked hard to harvest your trophy and now you desire to have that memorable experience preserved for years to come. As Daniel Due east. Schmidt of Deer & Deer Hunting put information technology, "taxidermy displays are not 'trophies' of achievement, merely rather reverent reminders of blessed days afield for hunters."

With all the time and money you've spent on your taxidermy mount, y'all want it to final a lifetime. Nevertheless, in that location is more to owning a mountain than simply hanging information technology on the wall and leaving it untouched.

To improve sympathize how to keep your trophy looking similar it did the day yous brought information technology home from the taxidermist, nosotros've asked the peak experts in the field to give their best tips, tricks and advice for keeping your trophy in tip-top shape.

Where should I identify my trophy mount?

UV rays tin wreak havoc on your taxidermy. Ensure the trophy stays out of direct sunlight, every bit sunlight will cause it to fade and possibly crack. — Warrick Ferrar, Taxidermy America

Avoid mounting trophies in locations where they might accidentally be bumped. Don't place your taxidermy in areas with very loftier or very low humidity, or significant shifts in temperature and humidity — such every bit a garage or screened-in porch. Also, as appealing as having a big mountain over the fireplace may exist, the heat that rises from a fireplace isn't the best thing for a taxidermy mountain. Use the fireplace sparingly and make sure there is adequate humidity in the room. — Toby Asplin, SafariWorks Décor

How do I hang my mount?

Any mount created by a quality taxidermist to be hung on a wall should take a quality hanger on the back. Well-nigh shoulder mounts will hang from a single screw, toggle bolt, or lag screw — depending on the weight of the mount.

Screws into wall studs are adequate for nearly smaller mounts. If the mount needs to hang betwixt studs, utilise a toggle bolt rated for the weight of the trophy. Very large or heavy mounts, should be hung from a lag screw centered on a wall stud.

Caring for Taxidermy: Tips from the Experts — Photo courtesy of Larry's Taxidermy of Ogdensburg, New York

Alternatively, if the width of the mount is greater than 16 inches, a mounting plate affixed to ii studs provides some flexibility in where the mount is placed betwixt the studs. Exist certain the mounting plate is made of forest that volition back up the weight of the trophy when hung from a lag screw. We recommend avoiding plywood, oriented strand board (OSB) or annihilation similar. — Toby Asplin, SafariWorks Décor

How do I properly clean my mount?

Your trophy requires regular care to survive in the long term. If your mount is in a controlled area — free from moisture, estrus and sunlight — you lot tin clean your mount well-nigh in one case a month. If your trophy is in a loftier dust surface area, clean it twice per month.

Mammal Care: Clean your prized taxidermy trophies with a soft cloth misted with 409® cleaner. Practise non spray the 409® directly onto the mountain itself. You practise not desire to saturate it, you lot need just plenty to clean the dust off and accept it stick to the cloth. Wipe with the lay of the pilus — never brush the hair or fur back.

Antler and Horn Care: For antlered and horned species, use the aforementioned process with the cleaner and simply wipe them down with a soft cloth.

Eye Care: With a cotton fiber swab and just enough 409® or glass cleaner to dampen it (not dripping wet), you lot tin lightly clean the eyes. Be conscientious not to touch any painted surfaces effectually the eye itself. — D. Cost, Outback Taxidermy

What exercise I practice about pests?

Once or twice a year, place your trophy in a freezer for a few days to kill whatsoever unwanted pests who may be eating at the mount, which can event in fur slippage. For larger pieces or collections with a visible infestation, it's recommended to bug bomb the entire room. — Allis Markham, Casualty Taxidermy

Caring for Taxidermy — Photograph courtesy of Redfin

Are there whatever health risks from the chemicals used in taxidermy?

If you take your fauna to a professional studio, there should be no worries about chemicals or preservatives that are used in taxidermy. Harsh chemicals are rarely used in the taxidermy procedure, and the chemicals that are used are not harmful after the process is consummate. Every bit with whatsoever production you lot buy, common sense should be used when displaying taxidermy mounts. Keeping mounts out of achieve from children and pets is ever a good exercise. — Aaron Stehling, Stehling'southward Taxidermy

If I'm non displaying my taxidermy, where should I store it?

It is of import to keep your mounts in a dark, dry expanse that is gratuitous from bugs. Moths are a big problem for haired mounts. They lay their eggs at the base of the hair and the larva eat where the pilus is attached, causing hair loss. — Shirley Hopkins, A Retentiveness Saved Taxidermy

Are there steps I tin have during my chase to facilitate a successful mounting?

How you transport your animal subsequently a successful chase is very of import. Make sure non to drag the animal on the function that you plan on mounting, and so you don't cause damage to the hide from the friction between it and the ground. For example, if you lot wish to have a whitetail buck shoulder-mounted, dragging information technology from its antlers or forepart legs is better than dragging information technology from its back legs. — Andrea Crider, Huntress View

We like to remind hunters that they don't necessarily need to await for a hog with big cutters. When the taxidermist mounts their sus scrofa, they use a fake (plastic) set of cutters. Most people don't realize this and spend a lot of time looking for something with big cutters, when in reality, the real ones will non be used in the mount. — Matt Wetzel, Pig Wild OK

With a regular cleaning regiment, keeping your trophies looking clean and fresh can exist easy. "Remembering that your mounted trophy is a preserved natural specimen is primal," says Allis Markham of Casualty Taxidermy. "Although, the taxidermist has done most of the preservation piece of work beforehand, the rest is up to the owner of the bays mount."