How to hang an elk shoulder mount?

[OB]

So I get my elk back from the taxidermist, but I have no idea what to use to hang the mount?  The wood backing has a hole in the back, do you use a nail, screw, or peg??  What length as well?  Should have thought of this a year ago...

[bentpole]

Single hole? How heavy is the mount? That's the biggest factor.  Find the stud closest to where you want to hang it. I'd use a lag bolt depending on the hole size.Wouldn't hurt to drill a small diameter pilot hole to make the screwing of the bolt into the stud easier.

[OB]

Perhaps the weight is around 70lbs (6x6 330in)?  There is a hole at the bottom, but it is shallow.  The hole diameter at the top in diameter is 1.5in.  The lag bolt would be screwed in at a downward angle, and enough shank left to place in the hole?

[Ray_G]

OB,

For a good sized whitetail shoulder mount,  I used a 3 1/2" long lag bolt with an eye on it.  5/16" or 3/8" diameter would be better for holding that critter.  I cut out about 1/3 of the eye with a hack saw so that it looked like a fish hook, looking from the side view.  Just leave enough sticking out from the wall for the hook to be all the way inside the plywood.  You can adjust the mount fit to the wall by screwing the lag in or out.

If your mount is wide enough, I would use two for that weight.  Find two studs - usually 16" on center.  Just drill some new holes in the back of the form wood on the mount to match and hang.  Enjoy!

Ray

[dino]

Ray has it right, lag bolt is the only way to go. dino

[JimB]

I've been a taxidermist for 40+ years and personally,I wouldn't feel comfortable hanging any heavy head without a metal hanger on the back.I agree with the lag bolt in the wall.5/16" is strong enough,3/8",even better.The length of the lag should be about 3",leaving about 3/4" space between the wall and the lag head.No elk will span 2 studs,enough to get 2 hangers on.My favorite heavy hanger is the "Peace of Mind Safety Hanger" from McKenzie Supply.It is made of 1/8" stainless plate and has a vertical slot that slides down over your lag.$11.15.You can use a heavy,galvanized corner brace for a hanger and any hardware store should have them.About 4" size should work.If you think it isn't stout enough,double 2 of them up.Here is a sketch of that arrangement and how the hole should be cut to use it.A jigsaw/saber saw works well and hopefully you can incorporate your existing hole.If the existing hole interferes with the placement of the angle brace,there are a few other hanger options.If this won't work and you can post a picture of the backboard showing the hole location,I can probably help you pick another type hanger and probably have a couple here that would work and I'd be glad to send one to you.

[Gatekeeper]

Good Post.

How do you guys wrestle these big mounts up on the wall when you hang them high up? I have Buffalo mount that I want to put about 12’ up but I’m not sure how to go about it. I guessing its a two person job.

[JimB]

It is definitely at least a two person job and for that height you may need to borrow some scaffolding.Be safe.

[Dave Pagel]

The taxidermist that did all my work when I lived in Wyoming, Charlie Thomson, used the method Jim B explained and it is great.  I never had any issues.

I had a moose done by a guy here in Michigan and he put a single steel tab at the top that I had to get over a bolt and then put on a cap nut.  It was a killer, even with scaffolding and 3 people.

Dave

[Herdbull]

For my moose amd elk mounts I hang on a lag bolt as JimB has described, but I also add an additional small plate at the top just below the hair line and drill it to accept a long screw. Once the mount is hung on the lag bolt and adjusted on the mall correctly, I find the upper small plate and sink a long wood screw. This added security helps to asuured it stays on the lag bolt without getting bumped off during cleaning dusting or parties in the houise when your not around. Ha! Mike