Your shoulder mounts

[West.mass.hunter]

Hey gang, I was lucky enough to shoot my biggest and a true trophy buck in Massachusetts recently. I hands down prefer euro mounts BUT I honestly don't think I'll ever top this guy, so I'm debating on getting a shoulder mount done instead.
Can I see some of your mounts too help me solidify my decision. Thank you

 

[RC_]

Congrats on the buck. Grew up in CT so appreciate he is a stud for a lot of NE.

Don’t have any pics handy right now but If you end up getting him mounted and think it could end up being your only shoulder mount, I’d recommend making the drive down to Northeast Taxidermy in Middletown, CT. They can be more expensive than others but it’s 100% worth it and you won’t have any regrets.

 

[Machingeaneer]

Here's mine and kind've a similar deal to yours. Not a TV show type of monster but one of the nicest bucks taken from our area so I went ahead and had it done. No regrets whatsoever. Congrats on your trophy!

 

[TNHighlands]

Do it. You won't regret it

 

[prm]

For mounts that have some meaning to me I like to have some extra added to the display. Something that reminds you of the day. Those green moss stones and some leaves and pine branches.

 

[EdP]

That is a beautiful buck. Great mass, very symmetrical 8 point, nice long eye guards. I would have it mounted. Whether or not a deer is a trophy worth mounting depends on how it compares to other deer in the population you hunt, not how it compares to deer in other populations. The mass of the bases on that deer suggest to me that it is an old deer and a fine trophy. In my part of the world the difference in cost between european and full shoulder is just a few hundred dollars. You are a young guy. Don't spend the next 40 years looking at a euro mount and wishing you had spent the extra money.

 

[Ditt44]

My best buck ever. So unique I thought it would be a shame to not get the shoulder mount. Very pleased that I did but boy, he has less than a half-inch clearance with the 9 foot ceiling!
Edit: this is a semi-sneak, btw, to gain on ceiling issues

If you think he's worth it, and I would say he is, get the shoulder mount. That's a fine, heavy beam buck. You will be glad you did.

 

[LincG88]

Here is an idea for your euro mounts. Pulled some old pallets from work, found a old broken fence post, and scrap wood. So a free project here, other than the fake plants from hobby lobby.

Always done the semi sneak shoulder mounts. But really considering a full sneak mount for this year's deer.

 

[bigsky2]

Just make sure you take it to someone good. If you aren't happy with the taxidermy work, you will regret not doing a Euro.

 

[MallardSX2]

 

[Oddfellow]

 

[Oddfellow]

 

[98XJRC]

Congrats on a great buck. My one word of caution when it comes to taxidermy is find someone who you have been able to see their work first hand. My first go with a shoulder mount was less then ideal, and while relatively happy with the end result my most recent mount puts it to shame and shows a significant difference in quality of work. Pricing does not reflect quality in all cases. The higher quality workmanship is shown on my larger buck.