Displaying Your TrophySelecting a Location

 

The lifespan of mount not only depends on the initial quality of the work, but also where the mount is displayed. Choose a place in your house that your trophy will not likely be bumped or knocked over. Humidity should ideally be kept around 60%.

Sharptail Grouse Hanging on the Wall
  • Sunlight
  • Dry Heat
  • Pets
  • Smoke
Direct Sun

Sunlight will slowly bleach the color from your trophy. All mounts will lose their lifelike color if displayed in sunlight for long periods of time.
Fireplace

The hot, dry heat that is found around fireplaces, wood stoves, and radiators causes the mount to dry too much. Mammals and fish are especially susceptible to damage from dry conditions, the skin will crack and the hair will become brittle.

Tucker the Cat

Both cats and dogs are guilty when it comes to damaging mounts. Birds are likely targets. Keep you trophies out of your pets reach. Supervise your pet around your mount, especially during the first few weeks of receiving it.

Smoke

Long term exposure to smoke will cause the mount to yellow. Cigarette and smoke from a wood stove will have the same effect on the mount.

Maintain Your TrophyKeep Your Mount Looking its Best

 

Birds

Birds are one of the easiest mounts to take care of. A properly mounted bird will not leech oil through its belly feathers. Most of the time dust can be removed using a feature duster. If a feather duster no longer thoroughly cleans the bird, lightly soak a rag with lacquer thinner and gently wipe away the fine dust from the feathers. Be sure to wipe in the same direction as the feathers. Finish by wiping the eyes with a Q-tip moistened with Windex.

Fish

Begin cleaning fish by dusting them with a feather duster. Once fine dust starts accumulating is the grooves and scales, wipe the fish with a damp cloth in the direction of the scales. A wet Q-tip can be used to clean in the grooves. Finish by wiping the eyes with a Q-tip moistened with Windex.

Mammals

Mammals with flat hair, such as whitetails, can be dusted with a feather duster. Every year or two they should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner using the upholstery (brush) attachment. Fluffy animals like bear or fox will need to be cleaned with the upholstery attachment. Clean in the direction of the hair, whether using the vacuum or feather duster, never against it. Use a pet brush to fix hair that is out of place from cleaning. Antlers, horns, hooves, and claws can be cleaned with a moist cloth. Finish by wiping the eyes with a Q-tip moistened with Windex.

Insects

Certain insects, or their larva, will eat hair or leather and their presence doesn't necessarily mean the mount was crafted poorly. Damage done by insects is usually irreversible and the best way to avoid signification damage is to notice before it becomes an infestation. Always be watching for loose hair, sawdust like powder, shed larva shells, and live insects. Mounts can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the type and amount of insects. Freezing or specialty sprays are commonly used to get rid of insects.

  • Dermestid Beetle

  • Moths

  • Cockroaches

› ‹
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3