Taking care of your mounts?
 

Is there any recommended maintenance on game mounts that you should do every so often to keep them looking good?
I heard that some people put skin-so-soft on them from time to time.
I'm starting to get a good collection, and would like to keep them in excellent condition for as long as I can.

thanks,

SGT.H: I've had a taxidermist do some work for me a few times. His suggestions were: 1)a light vacuum or brushing once in a while, 2) keep the mounts, rugs etc. out of direct sun light as this will cause fading, or excessive drying out, 3) keep out of a cooking or smoking area, 4) select a room with a cool temperature: 65 to 70 degrees Farenheit, not overly hot but still plesant to go in and view etc. I personally was in a restraunt that had game heads and mounted birds. When I viewed the items shortly after the restraunt put them on display, they were lovely. After a few years in that restraunt, with no maintenance, smoke and food vapors, they were basically garbage. Very sad as someone had paid a large some of money in total for the taxidermy work. If you have a rug on the floor, young children think its okay to sit or play on it. Thats a "no no" as these rugs: wolf, bear etc. have ear liners. These can get broken very easily. When the hide was prepared for mounting, the ear has to be skinned out to remove cartilage. Now, a liner has to be installed to maintain the shape of the ear. Mounted fish, ducks etc. may have to have there colors touched up over a period of time as they will eventually fade a bit. These colors are painted to make them look natural. Some of the forum members may be taxidermists and can offer advice as well. Hope this helps.

keeping mounts looking good
 

I have 2 deer heads they are 25 to 30 yrs old they look great except for one which our bird climbed the curtains then jumped on one of the deer heads and ate the ears about half way anyways I just wipe the down they are on each side of our stove.