First deer, have mounting questions

[Redstar]

It's finally time to get my deer out of the freezer and do something with it.

It was shot on Oct 17th. Head and cape was put into the freezer within about 18 hours. Originally I’d planned to do a European mount due to cost. However, due to an early Christmas present, now I can afford a shoulder mount.

I probably should have folded the cape better, but the cape and the head froze quickly. It’s been almost two months, has he been in the freezer too long to get a shoulder mount done?

I think I may have gone too far up the chest while cleaning and skinning. How much of a problem is this? Is it just that a more visible “seam” will be there? It is important to me to use the cape from my deer for the mount since it is my first one.

I think I probably just need to go sit down and figure all this out with a local taxidermist. I live in Bellingham, I’m willing to drive a couple hours to get this done right – Suggestions on local taxidermists?

Thanks!

[washingtonmuley]

Check out a couple that are on this site.

[huntergreg]

   There are awesome taxidermist on this site. Check them out.

[Michelle_Nelson]

It's finally time to get my deer out of the freezer and do something with it.

It was shot on Oct 17th. Head and cape was put into the freezer within about 18 hours. Originally I’d planned to do a European mount due to cost. However, due to an early Christmas present, now I can afford a shoulder mount.

I probably should have folded the cape better, but the cape and the head froze quickly. It’s been almost two months, has he been in the freezer too long to get a shoulder mount done?

Redstar,

No your deer has not been in the freezer to long.  I have worked on capes and deer that have been in the freezer for a couple years.  Though I do not recomend leaving a deer head in the freezer that long as the ears tend to get really freezer burnt.  Along with other parts of the cape.

I think I may have gone too far up the chest while cleaning and skinning. How much of a problem is this? Is it just that a more visible "seam" will be there? It is important to me to use the cape from my deer for the mount since it is my first one.

If it is just a split brisket than there really shouldn't be any problem.  If you skinned out the deer with out planning on a shoulder mount in the first place that could cause a problem.  If that is the case than you may not have used the proper cape method.

If most of the cape is there sometimes adding a little bit or habitat or some form modifications will allow you the use of the original cape.

I think I probably just need to go sit down and figure all this out with a local taxidermist. I live in Bellingham, I'm willing to drive a couple hours to get this done right  Suggestions on local taxidermists?

Thanks!

Feel free to give me a call if you would like to talk about your deer mount.  I am located in Rochester, that is just south of Olympia.  (360) 704 -0034

[Redstar]

Thanks for the responses and PM's. I hope to have some free time this week to start looking into my options a little more, will prob be giving a couple of you who PM'd a call