Ever regret not getting a buck mounted?

[Buckmaster7600]

I killed my highest scoring ADK buck this year. I already have 5 mounts that I’ve had done and only 1 are in my house. I’ve grown out of the “trophy” stage and have racks piled up in a corner in my barn. My dilemma is that I would never have a buck mounted with a different cape “to me that’s just not the deer.” So it’s a now or never thing. It’s not a money issue, I’ve blown money on way dummer stuff. 
 

My hold up is 15years from now I don’t want to say damn I wish I did but if it’s going to sit in a corner of the barn with the other mounts it’s a waste.

 

what’s everyone think?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2022 by Buckmaster7600

[The_Real_TCIII]

Id have no issue using a different cape, I dont get the hangup but I know I am in the minority. I have one I wish I mounted but really dont have the space anyway. Thats an awesome buck by the way!

[LET EM GROW]

A deer like that would certainly get mounted if it were me.

If your having doubts now, you'll probably have the doubts down the road and possible regret.. Can always tear it apart down  the road if you choose to not want it for whatever reason. Put  a a fake euro head under the skull plate.. 

[Versatile Hunter]

Beautiful buck! I'm with you, use the same cape or simply euro mount. I'd shoulder mount that one.

[mowin]

I've only had one deer mounted. It was my first "decent" buck with the bow.  Shot much bigger since.  Some of those racks I still have, but the majority get cut up for dog chew toys.  While I enjoy the chase and the venison, and shooting a big buck, the headgear doesn't mean that much to me. 

[Cabin Fever]

No, I don't. I feel the same way about not using the true cape of the deer you got. My father had a couple mounted that way and I just don't look at them the same way. LOL  After my father passed, I inherited got stuck with more mounts than I knew what to do with (several whitetail, couple mule deer, couple prong horn, pheasant, turkey, coon, etc......). He was related to a taxidermist, so I swear he had everything mounted! For cripe sake, he even had a velvet roadkill mounted!! LOL I gave several mounts away and have several left in the basement collecting dust. After this experience, I'll take a good 'ole european mount any day!!  Something I can admire and reminisce over, but my family can easily use for rattling antlers or chuck after I croak! 

Edited December 21, 2022 by Cabin Fever

[Moho81]

Get it mounted now this way you don’t have regrets down the road. It’s only money. 

[Robhuntandfish]

so you killed your best buck ever and its a question? lol  I wouldnt hesitate. I would get not being sure it if its like your 5th best or something.   I think the question is why wouldnt you get it mounted?  Plus you had a good story on the hunt and when people are over and ask about it that story gets told again and also remember it for the rest of your days when you see it.  Which i think for you the hunt experience is by far the most important as if i remember right youre not much on venison.  But to have it on the wall to remember the hunt would seem worth it to me. 

Edited December 21, 2022 by Robhuntandfish

[DoubleDose]

This what I think based on what you have said.  It is your highest scoring.  Get it mounted and replace the 1  you keep in your home.  The one currently in your home can go with your other 4 mounts or can be disassembled and put with the pile in the corner of your barn.

[Buckmaster7600]

Thanks for the input fella’s. What most of you are saying is exactly what friends have told me. I guess I look at it different than most! It’s not my heaviest, it’s not my oldest, it’s not my first one tracking.  I would have been just as happy if he was a 100” 8pt. In the end he’s a 160lb 3 or 4yr old to me. 

[Buckmaster7600]

21 minutes ago, DoubleDose said:

This what I think based on what you have said.  It is your highest scoring.  Get it mounted and replace the 1  you keep in your home.  The one currently in your home can go with your other 4 mounts or can be disassembled and put with the pile in the corner of your barn.

It won’t replace the one in my house, the one in my house is my first 200lb adk buck that I shot tracking. That one means more to me than any buck I’ll probably ever shoot.

[grampy]

The only one you have to please is YOU. Do what ya think fits. I haven't had one mounted in quite a few years now. Shot some decent bucks in that time. Did some euro's and have some good racks hanging up in the barn at the farm. I may do something with them someday? 

Since we bought a smaller place last year, I have most of my mounts downstairs in my "hunting Room" in the basement. I say maybe if I killed my biggest buck I'd have him mounted? But IDK??? Be just more stuff, that means absolutely nothing to anyone else but me. That will just get tossed out when I kick the bucket.

[IM Hooked]

I shot some smaller racks when I was younger and had them mounted, as the years went by I shot some bigger racks and switched them out, I did them myself and they came out ok.

[Swamp_bucks]

I wouldn’t hesitate on that buck.  I’m in the minority of using a different cape but completely understand not using a different one. I’m actually getting one of my euros done here shortly by @518BowSlayer that I wish I had done the year I shot it. It’s not a huge scoring deer maybe 80” but it was the first good one on a property I’ve hunted at the time for 12 years and never had a chance at one like it up until then and that day is still my best day deer hunting I’ve ever had. 

[Nomad]

I have one WT mounted and a small Mullie , and I can honestly say the Mullie is basically a mistake , it’s in the basement doesn’t mean much at all to me .

My biggest rack is on the basement floor in a corner with three other ten points . It’s just not my thing , they take up,room and my kids will toss them when I die . 
 

I often think of those monks, who make those large intricate sand paintings , then when complete they sweep it all up ! Hunt and shoot a buck then toss the rack away , I’m not quite there yet ….