How Big Before You'd Mount It?

[ElkNut1]

I'd been asked that question many times, how big does an Elk or Deer have to be before you'd have one mounted? I always felt at least a 325" bull or better, to date I've not taken one that big! I also felt a nice Muley mount in the 160" plus range would be a nice touch. (grin) Funny thing is I do have an Elk mount but it's no where near 325" that both my son & I shot & I also have a couple Muley mounts that are below & above the 160" mark! Heck I guess you just never know! (grin) It seems that sentimental value has a big part in it for me.

How about you folks, how big or small does your Deer or Elk have to be before you'd consider a mount? Too, does your wife allow them in the house? Some do & some don't! (grin) It would be cool to see how ones set their sights!

ElkNut1

[Trophyhill]

350ish for elk. (God am I dreaming again? )

[Lark Bunting]

Once I got my mind out of the gutter (read the thread title again...), I came to the conclusion I am euro mounting the first big game animal I or my son get. Yes, I will bleach out a cow elk or a doe skull, it matters not!

[Csrbowhunter]

I think for an elk I would mount one over 300 but for a whitetail it would have to be over 140. Earlier in my life I've had bucks way smaller mounted, like the first buck I killed . It was a 9 point and might score 80 if I'm lucky but at 14 I couldn't have been more proud of it! Now my buddies always laugh at me for mounting it but back then I thought he was a monster! Lol

[elk-n-walleye]

I think that depends on the hunters circumstances.
My dad got his first Bull (a 5x6) a few years back. As hard as I try to get him further off the beaten path he may not see another bull in the hunting years he has left so we wanted him to have a nice European mount.

I may mount my first Bull too. If its remotely respectable and not too many miles from camp. Like any of the 4 I encountered last year. All I have now are a bunch of Ivories from the cows I've taken over the years. After the first bull though... 325" would be a good start and worth the space it would take up. real estate isn't cheap.

[Fridaythe13th]

Whitetail it has to be bigger than the one I got 156". My house is not big enough for a head mount. Muley never have hunted but I do have 9 PP for CO. Any antlers I get go on the wall there all trophies to me.
The story does matter, my niece caught a 9lbs walleye while fishing with her dad, Uncle and grandpa. they called me to see if they should put it on the wall. Absolutely Yes, what better story than that.

[stringunner]

I had a full shoulder mount done on the first bull I killed, it's scored around the 310 mark, it was also my first elk. I did euro mount on the buck I shot this year and a euro mount on the bull, the bull this year is getting scored this weekend so we shall see where it comes in at but should go 315+. For now it's more of an issue of space and $ as three young kids really cut into the hunting budget.

[BrentLaBere]

I chose to shoulder mount my once in a lifetime ND elk. We can only receive the tag once.
No matter what it is for; whitetail, elk, mule deer or any other game the feeling would just have to be right......as cheesy as that may sound.

[JJ Overkill]

350ish for elk. (God am I dreaming again? )

don't you have one of them already? you need to get that thing measured officially.

[JJ Overkill]

Once I got my mind out of the gutter (read the thread title again...), I came to the conclusion I am euro mounting the first big game animal I or my son get. Yes, I will bleach out a cow elk or a doe skull, it matters not!

don't bleach it!!! I can give you the details I did with mine. much better

[Lefty]

My wife said nothing goes on the walls. She did say if I killed a deer bigger than her top six I could put one in the garage

[Indian Summer]

Once I got my mind out of the gutter (read the thread title again...), I came to the conclusion I am euro mounting the first big game animal I or my son get. Yes, I will bleach out a cow elk or a doe skull, it matters not!

don't bleach it!!! I can give you the details I did with mine. much better

Ditto! Do not bleach your skull.

Big Sky Beetleworks 406-777-3638 The best.

[jmez]

No interest in mounting heads. Never really been a fan of shoulder mounts. Wife and I haven't discussed hanging one as it just isn't my thing.

[Yotkilr]

I don't have many but don't really have any set scores for any animals it also helps if your dad is a taxidermist. Also not married so have at least one mount in every room in my house.

[Swede]

Stringunner, can we get a picture of the European mount you did on your 2013 bull?
I have done some euro. mounts on bulls, but never have had a full head mount. I guess I will need one at least a little bit bigger. It is likely I will stay with euro. mounts. I like them, and can do one that looks real attractive.

[MTLongdraw]

Interesting thread, I've often wondered the same thing. I think to mount another elk I'd say 320 or bigger. I would stray from that for a sentimental hunt or if I ever kill a freak club bull etc. I think for mule deer 160 or better. For mule deer I'm pretty stuck on a mountain muley with chocolate horns.

[flystrait]

I agree with many that the sentimental part is huge. I still think about every one mounted or not. I need to get one close enough to pack out the cape. It's not a score for me as I have some larger bulls that mean just as much as the mounted ones. Just personal preference and everyone is different.

[slim9300]

350" gross and even then I would likely change my mind. I euro mount all my other Rocky Mountain bulls and antler mount all my Roosevelts.

[pointysticks]

I'd euro mount a cow. Seriously.

[Toby]

I have grown fond of Euro mounts, had my 330" bull Euro mounted. Probably won't ever do a shoulder elk mount, not enough space in the house and too much money. I shoulder mounted a 160" Whitetail a couple years ago, so anything smaller would be a Euro.

[8upbowhunter]

I am still trying to kill my first bull but I would most likely just do a euro mount unless it's just a flat out monster bull then maybe I would do a shoulder mount.

[NirvanaFan]

Since I won't be making the almost 2000 mile (each way) trip very often, pretty much any bull I get will be euro mounted. It could be a small 4x4, and I'll still euro mount it to put in the man cave. Plus, none of my family has ever elk hunted, so a small rack would seem large to them.

I would probably have to have someone talk me out of shoulder mounting a 300" bull though. Hunting elk just won't happen very often for me, so any bull will be a trophy.

[Indian Summer]

My wife loves game mounts. I have very limited space left so there will only ever be 1 more shoulder mount if any. I really like euro mounts. No back board or anything just cleaned and whitened. Some day I'll shoot a big moose and I can't wait to euro that. I think they make the nicest euros with their giant nose. A shoulder of a moose is just way too big anyway. If I ever get another mount it will be over 360 and a pedestal so I don't need wall space for it. Not so sure I'd even do that, I might be done with shoulder mounts.

EuroBull.jpg (71.11 KiB) Viewed 19628 times

A tip: When you first get a euro back it isn't completely dry. It will do some shrinking but more importantly the nose area which is made up of a lot of individual components can kind of push apart. Take either a rubber band or a plastic zip strip and put it around the tip of the nose bones so everything stays tight together as it completely dries. Leave it there for a couple months. This white zip strip is barely noticeable while it's on the wall.

EuroNose.jpg (51.86 KiB) Viewed 19628 times

[otcWill]

Not sure. I have a bunch of euros but nothing shoulder mounted yet. Maybe a 340 otc bull?

[Trophyhill]

350ish for elk. (God am I dreaming again? )

don't you have one of them already? you need to get that thing measured officially.

I would like to have someone score it that actually knows what he's doing
The first time I scored him it came out to 328 and change if I remember. The next time it was 308 and change. Regardless I am very happy with the hunt and the outcome. It just goes to show that a 300" bull is bigger than what many think.

[timberland]

Something like this give or take about 100"

[Triplebhunters]

Size isn't the thought process for me it's the moment.
We have some really special mounts but trophy quality only to us.
My wife has a 140 wt shoulder my
I have a 130 wt shoulder mt
I have a cool looking small 11 pt wt European mt
I have full size black bear mt, 235 lb
I have black bear rug
Both black bear skulls
My bulls antlers are still on the dining room table where we put them when we came home. Still deciding what to do with it.
I guess that would answer the question if my wife permits them.

[Swamp Buck]

To me the decision to mount depends on a couple factors. Bow, Gun, OTC, Guided...etc. I did not have to take too much time with the decision this year! So I will go with around 330" will be my mark.

[elkmtngear]

300+ (Archery)

My buddy has three 280ish bulls mounted, and they all look impressive. A 300 inch bull is hard to come by in the areas we hunt. All my bulls have been 260ish or smaller.

Also, if I killed a nontypical freak bull with any size at all to it, I would be sorely tempted! I love the freaks

[ishy]

Just has to be big enough to impress the wife who is freaked out by shoulder mounts. So that's my goal to one day get one that she says wow that would look great in our little house inbetween all my decor.

[Ridge Ghost]

Elk would have to be in the 320"-330" range before I do a shoulder mount. 170" for mule deer. Anything smaller will get european mounted.

[Ridge Ghost]

Ditto! Do not bleach your skull.

Big Sky Beetleworks 406-777-3638 The best.

X2. Gary at Big Sky Beelteworks does an awesome job. He will also chat your ear off.

[msd1228]

340+ for elk, 180+ for mulies (I've got 5 of those though, might have to raise the bar before I run outta wall space lol)

Edit - Talking full shoulder mounts here - I either euro or plaque mount anything with horns that doesn't get shoulder mounted. I don't give any mulie under 180 a second look anymore, but make sure to try and get a bull into the freezer every year so the elk horns can tend to collect a bit.

[riverbeav]

Shoulder
elk 360, muley 200, wt 180
Euro
elk 300, muley 160, wt 150

My wife is not a fan of the shoulder mount I have, so it would have to be a monster for me to convince her to get it done.

[zpd307]

the wife doesn't like mounts..... my 150 whitetail stays downstairs. I just don't have the wall height for any elk either. so I plan on a euro mount for anything I am able to kill.

[Csrbowhunter]

Here is my only freak bull! Well it's also my bull period. I would have mounted it but took to long to get out.

[elkmtngear]

Here is my only freak bull! Well it's also my bull period. I would have mounted it but took to long to get out.

That is very cool! I would have wanted to mount that one for sure, very unique!

[TetonStorm]

I really like euro mounts and my wife has grown to like them as well. If the bull is pope and young 260" or better I'm mounting it. The euro makes the antlers look bigger and proportioned.

[Csrbowhunter]

Here is my only freak bull! Well it's also my bull period. I would have mounted it but took to long to get out.

That is very cool! I would have wanted to mount that one for sure, very unique!

Thanks! I really didn't know he was like that when I shot him. All I saw was his good side and I knew he was legal plus it was the last morning hunt of a two week hunt.

[dapper]

I don't think I'd do a traditional mount even if it was a worlds record. Well, maybe if my son would agree to keep it in his trophy room. I already have so many mounts in my front room visitors think I'm a taxidermist. If anything it would have to be a European mount.


Dan

[stringunner]

Also, if I killed a nontypical freak bull with any size at all to it, I would be sorely tempted! I love the freaks

I tend to think this way as well. I got pictures of a really cool 6 point on one side and drop down club on the other this year. I was really hoping he was going to walk by me during the season cause I wanted to get that one mounted. My buddy shot a spike on one side and drop down club on the other in the same area this year during rifle season so I'm wondering if we well get some "club" genetics going in the area. I'm assuming they can be genetic, or just messed up during early growth or both?

[ElkNut1]

Yep, I consider that a freak bull! I was so close several years back at shooting a bull that could have been its twin. My son had called him to 30 yards from me but not shot presented itself that I could ethically take. I really wanted that ole boy too! Great stuff guys thanks for sharing!

ElkNut1

[Csrbowhunter]

This how he looked when I walked up to him. Man I was all excited and ran up to him grabbed his left side of his rack to pull him away from the tree. When I finally got his head loose and could see the whole head,I was like wtf! Then started to laugh! I was still the happiest man in Montana.

[JJ Overkill]

I made a deal with my wife that I wont do a shoulder mount on an elk if its smaller that 300" (archery). I don't plan on hunting for bulls with a rifle. If I shoot a big bull I want it to with a bow

[FemoralArchery]

I've got a mulie that scores about 195" and its just euro mounted.

If I find one I'm happy to take with a rifle, it'll probably be big enough to mount.

[timberland]

Crsbowhunter-
noticed the gash on the left leg. Was that an old wound, it could have caused the antler deformity on the opposite side.

"Nope, take that back. looked back at original post and saw the pedicle was screwed up"

[Csrbowhunter]

Crsbowhunter-
noticed the gash on the left leg. Was that an old wound, it could have caused the antler deformity on the opposite side.

"Nope, take that back. looked back at original post and saw the pedicle was screwed up"

If you look at the one arrow sticking out of the bull you'll see another hole under it. I shot this bull three times. I shot him twice while broadside and the third time he was broadside but turned as I was releasing . It hit a limb and grazed his leg. I just figured if he was going to keep stopping and looking back at me I was going to keep putting arrows in him!

[elkoholic]

I am on the same page as you Paul. I would like to mount a 320" elk and 160" mule deer. Neither at this point has come to reality yet. I emphasize Yet! I do have a small European mounts of all my bucks, but yet have killed one that is worthy of a shoulder mount. My elk on The other hand is no where near 320", hell he's probably 260"(lol) but this bull meant so much to me! I busted my rear with a broken hand to pull off the harvest with my bow. I held the bow between my index and middle finger. No, it didn't feel good as I just had surgery 2 weeks before. Called the bull Into 30 yards, shot and missed, gave a cow call stopped the Bull at 54 yards and made a perfect kill shot. So yeah my small six point may never be topped with another bull. Was worthy of being mounted!