How many inches to justify a shoulder mount for you?

[Maverick1]

To each their own, as you can see from the posts above!

One thing to keep in mind is the amount of wall space needed for an elk shoulder mount. Go look at one with your tape measure (friends house, sporting good store, etc). Measure off how much room it takes up. More than most would imagine!

 

[DCT1983]

I have the first bull I ever killed mounted, a very average 6x6 but its way bigger than most mounts you see in Missouri (because very few people that I know have elk mounts here). I love walking out and seeing it everyday. For me to ever get another one mounted it would have to be an absolute Monster. Otherwise they will all be skull mounts or just the antlers.

Ultimately its gotta be up to you. Like a few have said before, I don't think it should be all about the number. If its a nice looking bull and it really means something to you then you should mount it rather its 250 or 450.

 

[DCT1983]

To each their own, as you can see from the posts above!

One thing to keep in mind is the amount of wall space needed for an elk shoulder mount. Go look at one with your tape measure (friends house, sporting good store, etc). Measure off how much room it takes up. More than most would imagine!

That is a good point, they do take up way more space than I thought it was going to. Had a shot a really big bull it probably would not have fit where I put mine.

 

[KP20129]

280

 

[cnelk]

No amount of inches for me. The cost of a shoulder mount isn’t worth the juice it’s squeezed from.

Plus, when I’m dead and gone someone else has to deal with it. It’s not sentimental to them at all.

I’ve told my kids to tear all the shoulder mounts and euros apart and sell the antlers by the pound after I’m gone.

 

[Rob5589]

None for me. Not a fan plus that money is 2-3 more tags for future hunts.

Conversely, I'd love to have a nice velvet mule deer and a pronghorn.

 

[Fullfan]

400+ have a 390

 

[AntlerFever]

What is an average fully mature elk?
Say equivalent to a 120 inch 8 point whitetail

 

[Geewhiz]

What is an average fully mature elk?
Say equivalent to a 120 inch 8 point whitetail

I would say competely dependent on genetics but anywhere from 280-330+

 

[AntlerFever]

Also saw my taxidermist post a recent thing he did. Basically an elk version of a waterfowl dead mount.

Head mount (no neck) on a backpack with rolled up hide like it’s being packed out.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

Also saw my taxidermist post a recent thing he did. Basically an elk version of a waterfowl dead mount.

Head mount (no neck) on a backpack with rolled up hide like it’s being packed out.

This would be cool.

 

[Werty]

At this stage in life, I won't get any elk shoulder mount. No room and too cheap!

 

[Rob5589]

Also saw my taxidermist post a recent thing he did. Basically an elk version of a waterfowl dead mount.

Head mount (no neck) on a backpack with rolled up hide like it’s being packed out.

I've seen deer pics like that. Some look ok, some are goofy, imo.

 

[Sadler]

Unless it’s 350+, I’m not mounting it. They’re expensive and I’d rather buy another out of state tag. But I’ve never even killed anything over 300 so I don’t think I’ll have to worry much lol.

 

[AntlerFever]

I've seen deer pics like that. Some look ok, some are goofy, imo.

Some can definitely look bad . This one looked great though

 

[arwhntr]

Not to be repetitive but elk are so big and take so much space. My wife has said she would MUCH rather have a moose shoulder mount than an elk, so for me to take an elk to the taxidermist would have to be mighty big or one heck of a memorable hunt.

 

[fatlander]

330ish would go on the wall for me, but it wouldn’t be immediate. My next home will have vaulted ceilings in the main living area with a fire place in the middle of the living room. One side will have a shoulder mount bull elk and the opposite will have a shoulder mount bull moose.

I’ve already made my mind up that even if I kill an absolute hammer before that house is done, I’m just going to euro mount the bull. Capes aren’t hard to come by. I’ll get the mount done later. Storing and moving taxidermy during a move/build is also a pain.

IMO nothing is worse than a shoulder mounted bull that’s too big for the space it’s in. YMMV

 

[gledeasy]

I'm in this dilemma right now. Between my wife and I we both mounted our first bulls (310 and 360). I had an archery tag this year and harvested my first archery animal (330). Because of space I had no intention of having one mounted, but everyone seems to think I should. The cape is at the taxidermist. I figure that gives me a year to figure things out.

 

[Montucky]

No amount of inches for me. The cost of a shoulder mount isn’t worth the juice it’s squeezed from.

Plus, when I’m dead and gone someone else has to deal with it. It’s not sentimental to them at all.

I’ve told my kids to tear all the shoulder mounts and euros apart and sell the antlers by the pound after I’m gone.

This exactly!….

 

[Ross]

Eye of the beholder to decide….is pretty cool looking at two big bull's bugling at each other….3 so far next good cape another one goes up room for 3 more barelyExpensive but well worth it…