There’s something special about looking at a well-mounted trophy that takes you right back to that successful hunt. At Whitetail Woodcrafters, we’ve found that whether you’ve bagged an impressive whitetail or kept a meaningful set of antlers, how you choose to display them really affects how much you’ll enjoy looking at them over the years.
Different Ways to Display Your Deer
Traditional Shoulder Mounts
We’re not surprised shoulder mount plaques are still so popular. They’ve been around forever, but they work! These designs really set off a full taxidermy mount and make the animal look impressive. We usually make ours about 2-3 inches wider than the actual mount on each side – we’ve found this creates a nice balanced look that really draws your eye to the trophy.
Just the Antlers
Some guys prefer showing off just the antlers, and we get it. For this, you’ll want a specially designed antler plaque. We make them in all sorts of shapes – shields are popular, but so are ovals and rectangles. The trick is getting the size right. Too small, and your trophy looks cramped; too big, and your antlers look smaller than they are. When it’s just right, those unique antler characteristics really pop.
European Mounts (Skull Displays)
We’ve noticed European (skull mounts) getting really popular lately. They’re pretty cool – clean and artistic. But you need the right backing to make them work. The plaque needs to hold the skull firmly while creating some contrast. Some hunters like modern, clean designs, while others prefer something more rustic with natural edges. Either way, a good European mount can turn a basic skull into something that looks like art on your wall.
What Makes a Quality Display Stand Out
It all starts with the wood. We use hardwoods like oak, maple, walnut and cherry because they last forever and each has its own unique grain patterns. We’ve seen those manufactured plaques warp after a few years, but our hardwood plaques stay beautiful for generations.
Making It Your Own
The best part about getting a custom plaque is that you can make it tell YOUR story. We can engrave the date, location, or even how much your buck weighed. A lot of guys really like our burned edges or the reclaimed barnwood look – adds character you just can’t get from mass-produced stuff.
Getting Started on Your Display
Your hunting memories deserve something special. If you’ve got questions about what might work best for your trophy, just browse through our catalog or give us a shout to talk about custom options.
Here at Whitetail Woodcrafters, we’re not just making plaques, we’re helping preserve your hunting stories. Check out our website to see all our shoulder mount plaques, antler displays, and European mount options. Trust us, quality craftsmanship makes all the difference when you’re looking at that trophy every day!
