taxidermy question

huntFX4 · Sep 22, 2010

I have a great chance at a successful hunt for a good bull this year, finally. It would be my first bull, as I never hunted elk as a kid and have only had fleeting chances to hunt in more than 25 years of being a Marine.
I have access to a very large piece of private property that is next to hard to access national forest in Montana this year. I have a fellow Marine I will be hunting with who has killed a couple of bulls over 370. He tells me there are a couple of 330 class in the lower elevations and knows of at least a couple of 350 class bulls up high.

My question is this. I can't afford a shoulder mount at this time, should I be successful on one of those bulls. I plan to get the beatles to do a Euro mount, but would like to be able to get a shoulder mount later. Is that feasible, or should I just go for broke with a shoulder mount?

Thanks

Big_DD · Sep 22, 2010

You could always have the hide tanned then wet it down, bag it up and throw it in the freezer and freeze it until you want or can afford the mount. A frozen cape will keep for years.

AndymanSavage · Sep 22, 2010

I plan to do the same thing on my elk I (hopefully) shoot next week. Going to cape it, get the euro done and tan the cape and store for the future.....a Utah county taxi quoted me $300 for the euro and tanning.

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http://andymansavage.blogspot.com/

LowCountryElk · Sep 22, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Sep-22-10 AT 11:05AM (MST)[p]Donald,
Tell you what. Since you've served us for so long in the service as a Marine, and have no doubt given up a lot of great opportunities for our general benefit for probably not a lot of thanks or self-benefit, let me throw this out: I'll pony up $100 towards a shoulder mount should you be successful on one you want to put on the wall. It's the least I can do. Who else is in?
LCE

P.S. - And thanks for everything you've done. Now go kill one of those big guys up high!

LowCountryElk · Sep 22, 2010

RE: taxidermy question - come on fellers....

Bump; anyone paying attention? Lets help out here....

huntFX4 · Sep 22, 2010

RE: taxidermy question - come on fellers....

Steve,

I really appreciate your very generous offer. I'm not sure what to say, having come in with a question like mine. It's great to know the appreciation the general public has of todays service men/women. Thank you.

Big DD and Andy, thanks for the suggestion. I never thought about being able to save the cape that way.

txjp · Sep 23, 2010

I will help out as well

Thanks for your service to this country

YELUM · Sep 23, 2010

Count me in for $100 as well. I have great respect for those who serve. Keep us posted in this threat, and when successful, just pm your address to those donating, and we'll get you $$. Best of luck on the hunt.

Yelum

BM07Baller · Sep 23, 2010

PM Sent

TAGATTRACTER · Sep 23, 2010

Huntfx4, Count me in too. I will need picture proof though.

LowCountryElk · Sep 23, 2010

Alright....we got it going now. Donald, like was mentioned earlier;
1) go for broke and get one of the big ones up high so it will be the hunt of a lifetime (which hopefully you'll get to do again and again),
2) keep us posted on developments here, but start a new post with a much more exciting Subject line,
3) keep track of everyone who has agreed to put in and how much,
4) post picture results here with your story so we can live vicariously, and also for verification,
5) send everyone who's in a PM with your mailing address so we can git 'er done.
Lastly, I want a pic of the final result on your wall with you standing next to it with a huge s**t-eating grin on your face.
Cheers bro! Now go get 'em!!!
LCE

deadI · Sep 23, 2010

Nice job guys. Some times this site amazes me. Can't wait to see the final product.

DeadI/Jared

huntFX4 · Sep 23, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Sep-23-10 AT 08:51PM (MST)[p]Wow! I am truly humbled. I never expected responses like these when I requested info. You guys are great. I really appreciate the generous offers and thank you all for your appreciation of our military.

I will keep you all posted. This is going to be my last chance for a couple of years due to the fact that I'm headed back to California in 2 months and probably to Afghanistan next fall.

This will truly be a special hunt. I will also be taking my 12 y/o for his first big game hunt. Unfortunately for him, he has to hunt nonres so will be going for a cow.

Thanks again...