Before & After - Shoulder Mount

[MattL]

I got this mount back this spring and thought I would share. If anyone has ever had second thoughts about not getting a shoulder mount, it can still be done.

I shot this buck about 12-13 years ago when I was about 14 or 15. After the shot, the main beam broke off somewhere as he rolled down a long hill into a ravine. At the time my dad did not want to spend money for a mount with a broken rack and he didn't think it could be fixed.

When I picked up my 2011 buck last summer I asked the taxidermist about it and he said he can get a cape and fix it so that I wouldn't even know. I figured it was worth a shot as it was a beautiful 8 point rack just sitting in the garage collecting dust and fading. He added like $25 to the standard cost of the mount for the cape and did not charge me for the antler repair. He found a tine from a matching shed antler and attached part of it and stained the whole rack.

Here is the original picture of the rack after sitting in the garage 10+ years. You can see the break to the main beam right after the g3.

Here are a couple finished pictures. If you don't know the repair is there you cannot even see it.

I wish I could find a picture of it in the woods. This was before we even had a digital camera so I know we have some old 35mm photos of it somewhere but I have not seen them in years.

[HooknHorns]

What took so long? Looks real good from this angle.

[jarod duane]

Awsome! Iwould thought nothing of it if you didn't mentioned it. Nice mount!

[MattL]

Thanks guys!

What took so long?

I dropped the rack off around May of last year and picked it up in March of this year. 9-10 months is about right for the taxidermist I use based off his workload. I did not think this could be fixed which is why is sat hung up in the garage for so many years before doing something with it.

[psepuncher]

Nice, you did real well having it done and out of the garage.

looks like the memory is back alive....priceless

[MattL]

Nice, you did real well having it done and out of the garage.

looks like the memory is back alive....priceless

The memories were the driving factor. This was only my 3rd season hunting and my first time hunting without my dad nearby. I bought my first stand that year with money I earned helping out on the farm and chose the location myself (with a little guidance from my dad and uncle). This was the first "big" buck I ever shot. I still remember every detail, I just wish I could find the old picture from after the shot...

[paceman]

Wow that mount turned out amazing for being so old and for having a broken antler! Your Taxi is very skilled!

[PFUNK]

I think it looks fantastic! You have a good taxidermist there.