Where should I hang my deer mount?

Question

I went deer hunting for the first time this year. I bagged a six point buck the second day of rifel seson. I'm very exited about getting head mounted (shoulder mount). It is at the taxidermy right now. It will take a few months to get back. I am concidering hanging the mout over my fireplace mantle.

A friend told me that over the fireplace is a bad spot for it becouse it will get dried out from having fires. I think it would be ok,The head will be well above the mantle and we only use the fireplace about a half dozen times a year.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

The mounting techniques used today vary greatly from those used in the past. Most taxidermists today use a solution for tanning purposes, where others use a dry preserve method. The method used greatly affects the longevity of the mount. Dry preserve WILL last a long time, but it won't look as good years down the road. Now, all that blah blah blah being said, the dry preserve won't hold up to a constant dry heat as well. But it will take a REALLY long time to notice a difference.

The biggest concern in the long run is the amount of "soot" that floats out from your fireplace. If you have any pictures hanging on a wall, take one down. Do you see a difference in the color of the wall where your picture was hanging? Often times this is created from smoking, or fire place/ wood stove soot. If you hang your mount directly above the fireplace, then that soot will accumulate faster there then on an opposite wall. But if you clean the mount regularly, it really won't make a difference.

So, those are the things I know about it.... Congratulations on your first big buck! And honestly, it doesn't matter where you hang it, you'll stare at it everytime you walk in the room!!!! (Trust me, I know!)

Answer 2

I have heard the same thing about mounts drying out over the fireplace, but we placed my fathers elk head above ours and so far have noticed no ill effects. I think it takes years and years for it to become a problem and since you only use your fireplace seldom, I would not worry about it.
They look nice above the mantle. Congratulations, by the way.

Answer 3

Wherever your wife or girlfriend let you!

I have never heard of one getting dried out over a fireplace and have seen many placed there, but I am no expert on that. I have one mounted in the screen porch at the cabin and his name is Gus, everyone greets him when they come to visit.

Congrats on your first deer.

Answer 4

Ask your taxidermist about hanging it above the fireplace. If the he is a taxidermist he will be able to tell you with out a doubt if it will be damaged above the fireplace.

Personally I would hang it there anyway and take it down on the rare occasion you want a fire. It is up to you.

Answer 5

I have never heard about a mount drying out above a fireplace. I would ask the taxidermist though, they will probably be able to help. In my opinion, hang it wherever you please

Answer 6

I would not put it in that location, anywhere else but there.*