Long Term Storing an elk mount

cavemn5050 · Aug 15, 2017

Well, my overseas move is nearly here and I need to figure out how to store my elk mount. My moving company won't take it since I won't pay $3000 for them to build a crate and even if I build my own they won't take it due to insurance or some B.S. like that. So - it goes in storage in the meantime.

So - my question is - what have you guys done for long term storage? I'm concerned about rodents in the place chewing something up.

honkerdwn · Aug 15, 2017

Not sure what your considering long term. I know with my military stints it was anywhere from 30 days to 6 months so it wasn't to bad. Although, we built a house a few years ago and almost everything thing I had at my place went into a storage unit. I have a pedestal elk mount that I put in the back corner of the storage shed and I to was worried about rodents and moisture getting to it. So I ended up putting the foam pipe insulation for plumbing on the antlers. Then I bought one of those sacks you can get for storing mattresses. They are a little heavier plastic and can handle a little more abuse. Pulled it over the top all the way to the ground then taped up the bottom good and tight around the base. I then put some big bait blocks in all the corners giving the little buggers something else to chew on other than my mount.

Anyway, it spent about a year in storage and came out just about how it went in. About the only thing I really couldn't control was the high and low seasonal temps. It ended up with some fine hairline cracks around the corners of the eye's but other than that it was good to go.

Hope that gives you a little bit of an idea.

Good luck,

HD

N_Corey · Aug 15, 2017

I'd check with a local sporting goods store and see if they have any room to hang a mount if it's going to be a few years.

TOPGUN · Aug 15, 2017

>I'd check with a local sporting
>goods store and see if
>they have any room to
>hang a mount if it's
>going to be a few
>years.

I'd be doing that or looking for a good friend that has room to store or display it while you're gone.

Millsworks · Aug 15, 2017

I am a Taxidermist and repair a few mounts every year that have been stored improperly.
Those storage units are OK if they are temp controlled. But otherwise, it's a bad idea for more than a year storage.
Local sporting goods store is good option, but a good friend is better.
Shipping it through the service of a local Taxidermist is another option.
A Taxidermist that ships on a regular basis should be able to send it to you once you are there.
I recommend calling the Taxidermist with address to ship to after you get settled. You may need it shipped to a receiving area other than your future residents.
Antlers may need to be removed and fitted with square pins to be shipped properly. It's not that hard to do that for a good shop and makes it easy to reattach them after it is placed back on your wall.
Easier to move through narrow doors and hallways also , if you go that route.

cavemn5050 · Aug 15, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Aug-15-17 AT 12:38PM (MST)[p]I don't really have the option of shipping it to me. I'm going to Norway for 2 years and we are not having our goods shipped.

I can check with a sporting goods store. I dont have a good option for family member storage.

If I build a shipping crate and store it In there and put a bunch of desiccant packs or cans will that help preserve it? I alrealdy have the antlers mounted on square pins, otherwise I was going to have a heck of a time getting it through doorways.

TOPGUN · Aug 15, 2017

As Millworks, our taxidermist, stated, you really need to keep it for that length of time in a temperature controlled environment. Don't you have any friends that can take care of it for you while you're gone?

deerkiller · Aug 15, 2017

I don't know where you are located, but I figured I'd just throw this out there if you interested. I'd be happy to store it for you in my basement while you are gone. My wife and I just built a new house. The down stairs is unfinished and will remain that way for several years, but it's out of direct sunlight, moisture and rodents that may hurt it. No one will touch it until you come back and pick it up. It's up to you, just giving you an option. I'm located in santaquin Utah

theox · Aug 15, 2017

Lots of sporting goods stores will hang them up. check out sportsmans, local shops etc. If not ask a close friend or realitive if they would hang it til your back.

projp · Aug 15, 2017

My kids just drop it off and let me deal with it.

I guess it is the price you pay for teaching your kids to hunt!

HiMtnHntr · Aug 16, 2017

I kept a bunch of mounts in non temp controled storage for a few years. It was not my preference, but I didn't have other options. For what it's worth they seemed to fair ok. Maybe it's better in a dry climate.