Well the good thing is you have a trophy buck up on your wall, but that doesn’t mean it looks pretty. To get the most out of your mount you need to regularly maintain it. If your old buck isn’t as impressive as it used to be you’re going to have to wipe off all those old cobwebs. With about 10 minutes of work once a year to keep your mount looking like the day you shot it.
How to Clean a Deer Head Mount
It really is a shame how many mounts have been destroyed over the years with improper cleaning. Unfortunately I’ve learned the hard way and ruined one of my favorite mounts. Through the stupidity of my youth and lack of proper knowledge I managed to destroy a bighorn sheep I shot as a teen. In my defense that was back before the Internet and I had no idea what I was doing. Left with only two massive horns and pathetic looking fur I decided I needed the help of a local taxidermist. He taught me the proper ways to clean and maintain my mounts so that would never happen again.
Don’t Grind in The Grit
The biggest mistake most hunters make is grinding in all that loose dirt and debris. Remember that deer were designed to naturally shed and rubbing in dirt will do more damage than good. Instead of rubbing in the dust and dirt simply go at it using the shop vac and its brush attachment. It won’t take a lot to get off all the dust without pushing the dirt into the fur. Just remember to go with the fur and brush lightly. Don’t forget to clean out the ears and nostrils using the vacuum. Nostrils are notorious for becoming dust collectors.
Ear Nose and Mouth
Once you have the fur all cleaned up it’s time to clean the delicate areas. Instead of using the vacuum attachment you’re going to need some compressed air. I use the little air compressor I have for my car, but a can of duster from Staples will work just as well. Just remember not to hold it can upside down to avoid spraying out liquid nitrogen which could damage your mount.
Bring Out The Rag
you’re going to want to get a rag and dampen it without getting it completely soaked. What down your antlers with a wet rag and allow them to dry. Once your antlers are dry you can go over them with a little but of linseed oil or some clear floor wax. Never use yellow floor wax because it will stain the antlers and make them look nasty. If you’re going to use boiled linseed oil make sure your rag is completely dry afterwards before disposing of it. Linseed oil is extremely flammable and has been known to randomly combust in trash cans.
Make The Fur Shine
After the first completely clear of dirt and debris you’re going to want to give it a little shine. I like to spray little bit of pledge onto a rag and wipe down the fur. Give it a light wipe down going with the grain of the fur.
Clean The Eyes
Cleaning the eyes is what makes or breaks a mount. Clean eyes you’re going to want to use a little bit a glass cleaner and a pointed tip cosmetics swap used for makeup. If you don’t know what I’m talking about check out these. Either borrow some from your wife/girlfriend or buy them at the drug store. Don’t use Q-tips because they tend to hold a little bit too much moisture. Make sure you don’t do any damage to the eyelids. Glass cleaner normally has ammonia in it which will destroy the eyelids. Using a Q-tip is a sure fire way to eventually get cleaner under the eyelid.