Fix this Elk mount or leave it?

adubs · Apr 28, 2018

I got my ?17 CO archery elk back yesterday and noticed right away the horns weren't set right. In order to get enough wall clearance the taxidermist rolled them forward nearly setting the G1?s on the elks forehead. There is currently about 1? on his right g1 and 1.5? on his left...the taxidermist did offer to transport it back across the country, fix it, and ship it back and he would cover the cost. What would you do??

adubs · Apr 28, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Apr-30-18 AT 01:39PM (MST)[p]posted pics below

adubs · Apr 28, 2018

Pics won't copy and paste for some reason...?

eelgrass · Apr 28, 2018

If it's that dark in the room nobody will even notice. Just kidding...lol

Bowdeadly · Apr 28, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Apr-28-18 AT 09:21PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Apr-28-18 AT 09:17?PM (MST)
Are you saying there is 1 inch clearance from your eyeguard to the forhead? I don't think any taxidermist would think that would be ok . That has to look like crap.
Never ever ever tilt the antlers forward. Tilt the entire head down one inch and you gain about 3 inches of wall clearance. They make forms that allow enough wall clearance for even the biggest of bulls unless you hacked the cape to hell and cut it short.

adubs · Apr 30, 2018

adubs · Apr 30, 2018

adubs · Apr 30, 2018

there is only 1"-2" between bottom of g1's/eyeguards and the top of his forehead above the eye socket. The actual bull had about 4" of clearance...

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2018/35802bull1.jpg

kickerbuck · Apr 30, 2018

1st off that's a great bull and an even better spot to put it where it looks awesome. I would say if you think it looks funny and you will never be happy with it then have it fixed. If you feel guilty about what the taxi is offering you then you could chip in or maybe at least pay him for his time to reset the antlers.

I'm a fair guy and always have a guilty conscience with stuff like that. If the deal is fair for everyone that's how I would want it to go.

Good luck

bonecollector777 · Apr 30, 2018

I'd send it back. If he was too lazy to alter the form to make it look right it's his problem and he should have never sent it to you that way. Guarantee you when he eats the costs he will make sure on the next guys bulls to do it right. All you will ever see when you look at that elk is how far tipped forward the antlers are. I understand not all mounts are perfect but that's a little much.

Bowdeadly · May 1, 2018

Very nice bull, those upright forms are made for smaller beam bulls. That bull needed to be mounted on an offset sweep form semi sneak. I know everyone likes the look of a bull above the fire place but just keep in mind the heat from the fire will have an effect on the mount. You may just have to live with it , he can't tilt them to the proper position due to the upright form . The only way to save that is to rehydrate the skull cap area, open it up and reset the antlers. Now you will need to add to the back of the form to give you wall clearance. Then add habitat all around it to cover the mess. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

BUGLEnmIN · May 1, 2018

I agree that bull needed a semi sneak. If you're not happy take it back.

Bowdeadly · May 1, 2018

Do you have any more field photos?

adubs · May 2, 2018

money · May 2, 2018

This is a common theme among taxidermists. happens all the time even with long time taxidermists that should know better. If he offered to fix it I would take him up on the offer but there is only so much room to work with on a semi sneak form. it is typically better to mount big bulls either full sneak or on a hard 90 degree turn to allow for antler clearance. it's obviously too late to change the form you had him mounted on but big bulls should never be mounted on semi-sneak forms (unless it's a pedestal mount) to avoid issues like this.

i'd have him fix it the best he can (which may not improve it as much as you are hoping) and then remount the bull (using a different taxidermist) when i had the money to do so.

it's a bummer though and i hope you get it fixed to a point that you are happy with.

Cahunter805 · May 4, 2018

That's a great bull. I agree the pose/form should have been offset or semi sneak.
If your considering sending it back I'd find out how he plans to fix it. Might sway your decision also.
Just curious what's up with his eye/cheek area in that last pic? Mud or injury?

junior · Jun 14, 2018

Its if you can live with it or not?
No one would have known if we didn't see or hear it from you. We have one with an eye guard on the side of his nose so its not uncommon..
I thing it pronounces his rack actually.

I agree to, relaxing a wet tanned hide isn't easy, and a lot depends on the type of wet tan. Some don't relax much at all! Then there is glue, what type?
Either way, you may or may not like the results. I would question the taxi on this process if you decide on a fix.

Tristate · Jun 16, 2018

Truthfully guys this is a two problem issue. Just resetting antlers won't fix the problem. The head tilt is what needs to be addressed and that is a major undertaking at this point of the game.

At my shop we set antlers to anotomichal accuracy first. Then we check for clearance. If the tips are going to hit the wall we start cutting form. Does it take more time? You bet. Is the look of the mount more accurate? Dam straight it is.

It's really tough and risky to fix this now. Easier to do it the right way before the skin gets put on the form.

AfricanAddiction · Jun 24, 2018

None of our opinions matter. You have to look at it. If you hate it change it. If you don't leave it alone. I got an elk mount home once and hated it. Sent it back and started over. I picked the wrong form and elected to start over at my cost since I hated the look. It is all what you think!