How big does it have to be to mount?

[TeacherMan]

So I have a couple really nice whitetail mounts, and a nice mule deer mount, how large of blacktail does it have to be to mount? Four point with eyeguards? I havn't ever put much time into hunting them, do I have way to high of expectations?

My whitetail minimum is 150"
My muledeer minimum is 160"

[Intruder]

I think it really depends on what you like.  Score isn't everything.  I've seen some really nice mounts that had a lot of character but lacked in inches.  Each guy kinda needs to set his standards for that one. 

[WAPITIHUNTER]

Once you start trying for a trophy Blacktail you will become demoralised and a spike buck will start to look like its mountable.

[rasbo]

all my mounts are from something that was dear to me,a 15" speed goat I got while my mother was with me,27" muley my wife and sons were with me ive killed bigger.awesome bobcat holding down a grouse,shot it with my youngest boy 30' called it in,got a 22.5 yr old sow I shot at twenty ft,I got a 19" black bear hes brown with black legs,shot him at ten feet hes not mounted.My 1st blacktail was a 5x5 should have mounted him,made necklesses from his horns and coyote bones gifts for friends.I believe you decide what the trophy is to you.If I was a trophy hunter none of these would make my wall,Its all about the memories to me.

[croix]

I don't think there is a simple answer for you. I would mount a spike if the memories that go with it are worth putting on the wall. As far as numbers though, B&C for columbia bt is 125" for the awards book and 135" for the all time book. P&Y minimum is just 90". I don't personally think that  number of points is what I would use to define a wall hanger. I have a 3x3 with one eye guard mounted that measures at 129 and some change - my daughter named him Frank.

[bucklucky]

This is my opinion , doesnt mean anyone has to agree with me. Any deer can make a really nice mount, just depends on whether or not you like the art of taxidermy or just a mount of a monster buck you killed. I have mounted spikes for people and IMO they have made some of the best mounts. Its not easy making a tiny deer look tiny if you know what I mean. I would never go by score in mounting a blacktail. Ive mounted some dandy 2 points over the years that would dwarf some of these nice 3 and 4 points that have been posted on the site, of course 2 points dont score real well.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[huntnphool]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

+1

I have a pile of bone in my garage that I haven't had mounted, mostly because of the room in my house. Some are large racks by most standards and I have smaller ones that are on my wall simply because of the memories. Size doesn't matter when it comes to mounts, for me its about the memory. That being said, once I build a detached garage they will all be up on the wall.

[billythekidrock]

Since you asked. Definitely no to spikes and two points. May as well mount a doe.

I think of a mount as a 3D picture and as a reminder of a good hunt. That being said, "developing" costs have gone sky high.    So nothing short of a good 3 pt blacktail. It would have to be a real whopper for me to have it done. A good 4x4 would have to be at least 15/16 inches inside and at least that tall before I considered it. Now if a buck simply outclasses every other deer in the local area then you would really want to consider it.

Here are some blacktails that we had mounted and some that were not even close to mounters.

Mounted

Dad's.


and another of his.



Mine.



and another of mine.


Not mounters.





The next two were shot on the same day.



This one was close only because of the hunt and how I outsmarted him.



A whitetail would definitely have to be larger then this one.

[huntnphool]

BTK, I cant see any of the pics, is it me?

[billythekidrock]

BTK, I cant see any of the pics, is it me?

I think it was a server issue. I was getting bumped and timed out. They are there.

BTW.. nice email to RMEF.

[BENCHLEG]

for me the next one will be 140 or a real cool non typical. i have a 115- 4pt and a 122-4pt  and numerous in that range but i need big.

[billythekidrock]

for me the next one will be 140 or a real cool non typical. i have a 115- 4pt and a 122-4pt  and numerous in that range but i need big.

I have no idea what those numbers mean so I hold my hands out..
"it has to be this biiiiiig!"

[bucklucky]

for me the next one will be 140 or a real cool non typical. i have a 115- 4pt and a 122-4pt  and numerous in that range but i need big.

I have no idea what those numbers mean so I hold my hands out..
"it has to be this biiiiiig!"

 

[elkfan2]

I dont think it really matters how many points the deer has or how many inches it scores as much as it matters how you want to preserve the memories.

[bucklucky]

GEEEEEZ ROB! Those need mounted  Id liketo see your Muley collection! Looks like a good one!