Pedestal mounts

[oldbohntr]

I have access to several very nice furniture pedestals, but they are not inexpensive.  I've been thinking for several years about turning a couple of shoulder mounts into pedestal mounts, with habitat, etc.  There are certainly multiple ways to do it, but I'm interested in ideas others may have tried.  It could be as simple as a forged iron bracket to hold the mount, or very complicated and intricate.  I know there are companies that offer pedestals, and some look very nice and at reasonable cost.  I suspect that's the easy part. If I had some ideas about bracketing to support a shoulder mount, it might keep me from a couple of experiments!  Has anyone tried a habitat with any sort of rocks(real or not) for example?   I'd appreciate any response from someone who's tried something like this.

[DaveT1963]

When I had my Taxidermy business years ago in MT I always like doing the pedestals on antlers - very classy and eloquent

[TSchirm]

What part of Washington do you live in?  I am in Dayton down in SE WA near Walla Walla.  I'm a carver not a taxidermist, but you might see if you can find a taxidermist near you that subscribes to "Breakthrough."  It is a wildlife artist magazine aimed mostly at taxidermy, but some other things like fish carving (like I do).  
There are often advertisements, and articles on pedestal mounts in the issues.  These are usually written by some of the best in the business,so they are always beautiful and well thought out.

I take the magazine for reference,so if you are anywhere near me, you could borrow some issues.

[Todweelz]

As a taxidermist I really like doing the ped mounts do a lot of wall peds out of my shop. Have done a few w floor bases for customers that are viewed 360  curious as to how you will finish the plywood backing of a wall mounted shoulder mount. Please post pics when your done.  As far as anchoring to your base there are several ways to do it have used square steel stock of different sizes to mount peds with no backing one larger one smaller to slide into each other, at bottom of deer, or a fence  post with a lag screw into back of mount to anchor, then cover hole in post.

[Tim Finley]

I have 3 pedestal mounts 2 antelope and one whitetail. Being a bowyer I had some bows laying around that could'nt be sold, bad glass etc. so I used the handle sections for the stems one is a longbow and two are recurve handles . We put a hole in the form and bondoed with releasing agent on the bow so it could be removed for transporting it and used leather for on the back of the form to cover the wood. The base is walnut with artificial rock poured in and cement to give it weight so it wont tip .  My son is a taxidermist and has done a number of them mostly he uses trees or fence posts with antler rubs for the stem. I cant post pictures but if you email me I can get you some ....Tim

[FerretWYO]

I have done a few myself. I am also a little curious how you will do the wall mount. Maybe make some rocks to cover the square stock.

Please put up some pictures

[Barry Wensel]

That big non-typical buck (named Hurley) that I shot in 2011 was 9.5 yrs. old. I actually missed him in 2009, so I had several years of history and close encounters hunting him. Just before I shot him he rubbed a five inch diameter cedar. With permission from the landowner, I cut down the rub and used it for the upright of his pedestal mount. I thought it was kind of fitting. Then I bought a 4" thick slab of red cedar about 22" across from a rustic furniture maker ($12.)and bolted the base to the cedar upright/rub and gave it several coats of Watco Danish Oil. I coordinated this with my taxidermist (Dennie Behn. He fixed the mount with a metal pin for a male/female connection. So I can just drop the pin into the upright to remove it if needed. Excellent all the way around. I think it's special knowing the buck is sitting atop his last rub. BW

[oldbohntr]

Thanks for your responses.  I don't know how I will handle the back of the mounts or balance/stability issues if they arise. Like a lot of my ideas, this one is a little half-baked.  The one I want most to do is a mtn goat and the habitat will not include wood because I got it at almost 14000 feet. Probably won't be the first one I try. Others can incorporate wood to disguise the bracket.  Was even wondering if taxidermy supply shops sell simple right angle brackets, forged or brushed stainless, etc.  I'll probably start by cobbling up a bracket to simply screw to the back of a mount see what ideas pop up after that.  Actually the bow handle idea might be a real possibility.  All I know for sure is I want it to look good and want to do it myself....may be expecting a lot when I have zero experience at this!

[Hermon]

Pictures of some of these mounts described would be great!

[DaveT1963]

[DaveT1963]

[Todweelz]

Dave beautiful work !  Tom check out revolution taxidermy supply they have an awesome bracket I use for some of my wall peds allows you to anchor the the form to the wall or base but still be able to move the mount side to side for under $20