Mounting Elk Skulls

[CouesFanatic]

I have two bulls that I want to mount on my wall. I ordered the skull hooker and did not like how unstable it was. It would not hold my skulls up very well. This will be hanging over where my kids play every day, so I cannot risk them falling.

I found something I like but its way too much money for my tastes. Any other options to hanging it on the wall? I don't want to use a wire and hang them flat.

Here:
http://www.skullplax.com/products-2/elk-plaques/

Any ideas?

[Bean Counter]

I like distressed barn wood, myself. 

[CouesFanatic]

I see a screw in there, how did you hook the skull to the plate? Is it sturdy?

[Bean Counter]

I didn't do it--that's the work of Michelle Nelson. I have two long screws into a stud in the wall and it has one of those picture hanger type thingies on the back. Its been on my wall for some time and survived my children so far, but nobody has thrown anything at it... yet. The thought of an earthquake makes me nervous as well, but I'm far away from an earthquake zone.

[Elkbow33]

I have two 6 pt bulls on the hooker and have never had a problem.  I was Leary at first but that was 2 years ago.

[CouesFanatic]

My issue with the skull hooker was the main beams on my bulls. I had to tilt the nose far down on the rack so that the main beams would fit between the skull hooker and the wall. When I did that the 3 prong would slip off the skull and the whole thing would fall forward. Besides that, I don't feel like its sturdy enough to hold all that weight. Both of these bulls are 340-350 type bulls.

What I like about the one I posted earlier is that the bottom wood fits between the teeth and stabilizes the head. There is also a piece of wood that goes up through the zygomatic arch of the skull. It's much more sturdy. I think I am going to replicate them myself. It really shouldn't be hard, I just don't have a good saw.