tschaef

I doubt that this has been asked before:

I have a good friend that has recently gotten into amatuer taxidermy. I've seen his first shoulder mount (whitetail), it looks good but the ears seem too far back, and the big question, how will it look in 5-10 years. He has also done a bear rug that I'm very impressed with.

I have a few crown mounts and really thats all I need as far as trophies go. I'm going on my 1st caribou hunt late this fall and I'm sure he would do a shoulder mount for me, but I'm wondering, if he screws it up could a professional take his botched job and reduce it to a really nice crown mount (hair on) at that point, or would it be too late?

Heres a pic of one of my mounts, I would want hair on and a similar presentation (if need be).

Alex The Hawk

You can do an antler mount at anytime, But Wouldn't spend the money to go on a cariboo hunt and give my trophy to an amateur, I don't see the logic ???

nctaxi

I have to agree with Alex. Friends are friends, but your friend should understand. If anything, if you get 2, have one professionally tanned and keep in a freezer til he's ready. If it were me, I'd respect you more for saving it.

Bill Yox

Hey, the guy has to start somewhere, we all had a friend willing to take the chance on us. Caribou capes are a dime a dozen on the trip, so have him capes yours for a mount, and save a few scalps in case you go to the antler mount instead. Its hard to screw up a caribou mount, if it makes you feel any better, lol. These guys have the right idea about maybe saving the "good" caribou for when he gets a bit more experience, though. Heck, thats why they let you kill two!

Bill Yox

By the way, to answer your question...yes, in theory, you could cut the cape low around the ears, and out past the eyes, and pull the skin off, and soak it to use for a antler mount, after unscrewing the antlers off the mount. If the cape was tanned correctly, that is.

livbucks

Are you saying they are ugly to begin with?

Bill Yox

Hahaha, ugly and easy, yes.

tschaef

Thanks guys,
My friend would totally understand and not be offended if I didn't bring him a cape (we get 2 tags each), and the cost of the trip isn't that great considering I live in Ontario and am drivingto Quebec.
I was just wondering because a professional shoulder mount would be out of the question, I would like a shoulder mount but would be content with a crown mount.

Bionicrooster

Like Bill said, if you weren't going to pay for a proffesional shoulder mount anyway, give your buddy a shot, at least he could use the experience, and you might end up with a real nice shoulder mount! And if the hide is tanned correctly there is no reason you shouldn't be able to turn it into a skalp mount, or like Bill said (again) just have a few skull caps skinned out for you to have as backups.