AlphaTrilogy.com

5 November 2007

When is a Deer Head Worthy of a Mount?

Posted by Darrell under: Rantings Of An Outdoorsman .

 

On Wednesday of last week, Kristine at the Hunt Smart Think Safety blog wrote a post about the best trophies being “Inside the Heart“. After reading her post I felt compelled to go ahead and finish this post, which I’ve had started for some time.

So, you finally took a deer and you are wondering whether or not you should mount the head. I’ve been there and had to make the same decision. At what point does a deer qualify as a ‘wall hanger’?

If you think I’m going to give you some size guidelines, you are sorely mistaken. I’m not. I know guys that would, though. “I’d only mount a deer that is a 160 class or better” I’ve heard some blowhards state. “Anything smaller just taint worth the wall space”. Well as far as I’m concerned that’s a bunch of baloney.

For me a deer head hanging on the wall stirs memories of a hunt, and likely, of places and people that shared a great experience. It reminds me of just how majestic a creature the whitetail deer is and fills me with awe that we dumb hunters can occassionally outwit one. It reminds me of all the deer that are still out there sneaking through the forest.

Seeing a deer mount builds in me anticipation for my next hunt and it, often,  sparks conversation with people that share my passion. If, that someone, has a comment to make about the ‘paultry’ size of an antler - than I’m immediately aware that that person does not share my passion and is not someone I want to bother conversing with (at least about deer or hunting).

I know people that have never had a deer head mounted. They don’t need that stimuli for their memories. My dad is one of those people. He has a beautiful set of horns packed away somewhere and I remember when he took that monster buck. However, I do not believe that having that deer head mounted  ever even crossed his mind. Somewhere, my mother has a polaroid of my dad and that deer, but I’m confident that my dad doesn’t need to look at it to remember that hunt and that day and the excitement that filled our deer camp.

For me, any deer head is worthy of mounting. Size isn’t the overriding issue. The memories and experience is what counts.

I recently picked up a finished head from the taxidermist. It had taken him a few months longer than he had originally promised. The reason, he apologized, was that he had several hunters still waiting for him to complete their ‘big’ bucks. He just couldn’t pull off to finish my deer. He knew I’d understand, which to be honest, I did.

I understand that there are people that need a huge mount to validate themselves as hunters. They need it to prove to everyone (but especially themselves) that they are a great hunter. They need it for their self worth.  My father is not one of those people. I hope that I’m not and I can promise that I’ll do my best to make sure that my son and daughter aren’t either.

Anyone that takes a big game animal is justifiably excited. I’ve been on a euphoric high for days. In fact, I walked on clouds after bagging two toms in one morning a couple weeks ago. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with this euphoria. It is natural and adds an element of fun to hunting. Even a little bragging and teasing among friends is acceptable and expected. I can pretty much guarantee that if I take a big beautiful buck it’s head is going on the wall.

However, I hope that I never resort to mounting deer heads strictly for my ego. I hope that a mature 8 point with a “nice little rack” continues to excite me. I look forward to dropping $350 to have my daughter’s first deer mounted - regardless of what it looks like. I look forward to talking to my grandkids about the day their mother or father took their first deer - pointing to it on the wall - and then explaining how the best trophies aren’t on the wall, they’re in your heart.

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