Proper Way to Clean a Deer Mount
To many avid outdoors men, a deer mount is like a piece of artwork, and therefore should be treated as such. As with any other piece of art or furniture, it is a good practice to clean the mount on a regular basis. An owner can proudly showcase a trophy buck and have it look as natural and realistic as the day it was bagged, by following a few simple cleaning procedures.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Step ladder
- Clean cloth
- Pail
- Cotton swabs
- Window cleaner
- Soft bristle dog brush
- Glue
- Black marker
- Microfiber cloth
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove the deer mount from the wall. Use a step ladder to gain access to the mount if necessary. Place the mount on a sturdy flat surface.
-
2
Dampen a clean cloth in a pail of water and wipe the antlers to remove any dust or debris. Rinse the cloth and repeat as necessary to get the antlers clean. Take the time needed to clean the shallow grooves in the antlers. It is not necessary to use any type of cleaning chemicals since these may damage the surface of the antlers.
-
-
3
Clean the eyes with cotton swabs that have been dipped in window cleaner. Avoid the skin areas around the eyelids. The taxidermist used paint to make these look realistic when finishing the mount, and the window cleaner may inadvertently remove some of this paint.
-
4
Brush the fur with a soft bristle dog brush to remove any dust. Do not brush against the lay of the fur (the hair will break and damage easily after being mounted). Give the top and back of the head and the top of the neck a little extra attention. This is where most of the dust and debris will collect.
-
5
Check the nose for any tears or cracks. Repair any existing cracks or tears with a small amount of glue. Wipe off any excess glue with a cotton swab and allow ample time for the glue to dry. Clean the nose by gently rubbing it with a damp cloth. Use gentle strokes because the nose is often a hard paper reproduction, which will peel and crack if care is not used in the cleaning process. Use a black marker to conceal any lines that may be evident after repair and cleaning.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use a microfiber cloth for quick touch ups. This type of cloth will collect surface dust and does not contain chemicals.
Hang the mount in a place away from direct sunlight and heat. Both of these will dry the remaining skin oils and may lead to damage.
Have an exterminator check your house a couple of times a year: insects can be devastating to your mount.
Using a vacuum cleaner is not recommended. The suction may remove some of the fur, especially in older mounts.
Use only a damp, not soaking wet, cloth.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
