Thread: Storing a headskin for years?

Good evening fullas I had the good fortune of taking a great fallow buck while hunting with my Dad over the weekend, a hunt I'll remember for a long time.


The buck has a great smokey chocolate headskin so the decision was made to cape him out. Now I really wasn't expecting to find such a great animal and being a new father and new home owner that puts monetary resources elsewhere. So getting the buck mounted, as much as I would like to, isn't an option. Believe me I've looked the accounts over several times! I'm very much happy with a nice euro mount though, I do enjoy being able to pick heads up and pass them around while telling porkies with mates.


One day in the future, 10+ years away, I probably would like to (and be able to) get a shoulder mount done. Ideally with the original headskin.


So my question is this, how long can I keep the cape for in my freezer? And alternatively can I have the headskin tanned and store it away for when I do get him mounted?

Yes if no one on here is too certain I will reach out to a quality taxidermist for their opinion. Thought I would squeeze the knowledge of the forum first. Cheers

@Billbob

That's a stunning head.

If I was you I would get it to your local taxidermist to have him prep the skin (flesh and turn the ears, lips and eyes) and then salt and dry the skin. Salted skins can last a while as when you do want it mounted they will rehydrate the skin and proceed with tanning etc... you could freeze but 10 years could be too long with possible freezer burn.

I understand freezer would be limited - it will burn eventually 10 years ?? no -- 4 years might be a stretch - tanned and stored yes - now you tube will be your friend here lots and lots on there about taxidermy- I understand mounted heads they need some protection work every few years to keep away moth silverfish etc - one article I read they bought the head down and brushed borax thru the hair - if you go down the tanned route you may need to do that and certainly dry place -- but what's wrong with a good euro mount with a nice shield - full mounts are an American idea really - see photos in English and German castles of all the heads up and all euro mounts -- nice fallow by the way

That's a cracking head!! Well done

Got some further answers for you but ideally you still need to check on what your local guy says.

Salted dried skins can last 10-20 years providing it's stored correctly with little humidity change.

3-5 years frozen raw.

Up to 10 years tanned and frozen

I hope this helps

great reply Billbob agree with all of that a lot in preparing the skin especially the ears many ruined headskins by not doing them properly - hairs falls out from the inside of ear and then mount looks stupid with the inside of ears bald - requires carefull removal of fat meat etc from lips - eye area- ears -before salting if one tackles the job themselves - I would be inclined to get a quote from a taxidermist and advice

Ive kept a couple of head skins in freezer [whitetail] for a couple of years and sent to a reputable taxidermist and they were not fit for purpose. Hairslip and freezer burnt.

that is an absolute ripper..listen to billbob he knows what he talking about. he does a great clean up for euro too.

Holy shit!, thats one helluva buck, well done. Definitely follow Billbobs advice or go see your local taxidermist in person and talk through whats needed. Many moons ago I was in the same position with a decent red. Talked to my taxidermist and later I decided that I wasnt gonna be in a position to get it mounted anytime soon so asked him just to Euro it. He offered to take my headskin and use it and would give me another headskin when I was financial. He also told me it was too good not to mount at some stage. Anyways, I came in to some money sooner rather than later and did actually get it mounted with its own headskin. So, I would definitely have a talk to your taxidermist and hopefully you can get to keep the original headskin until the time is right.

What about asking your dad to contribute a little and then start a go fund me page in here�� I would be a starter with $50.00. You young guys need to be encouraged. And it’s one way to pay forward. I throw out the challenge to the forum members!!

Thankyou very much for the knowledge and experiences gents, it is truly appreciated. I will be getting in touch with a taxidermist to get the skin tanned to give myself the best chance of keeping it. Barry the hunter I definitely will be displaying him as a tidy euro mount for the foreseeable future, he's too memorable and good to hide away.

I appreciate the offer Southcity, that is mighty generous. I am happy bidding my time currently. The old man did hint that he was keen to chip in but he's fast closing in on 70 and is yet to shoot (and retrieve) a good bull tahr, our attempt in June got blown out with weather so I told him to save it for a tahr trip in spring. Got to make those memories while you still can! I'll get the buck up on the wall one day.

good on ya neat to show those good ones off sadly our little place my heads are in the shed lol