Bear Skull Mounts – Clean, Classic European-Style Displays
A bear skull mount is one of the most clean, minimalist, and striking ways to display your bear harvest. Also known as a European skull mount, this style strips the skull down to the bone, professionally cleaned and finished, and presents it as a bold, natural trophy. Whether wall-mounted, displayed on a shelf, or set on a custom base, a bear skull mount is a timeless conversation piece.
At Stehling’s Taxidermy, we specialize in professionally cleaned and finished bear skull mounts that highlight the natural detail of the skull. With over 45 years of experience and thousands of bears completed, our second-generation taxidermists Aaron and Austin Stehling deliver clean, detailed results on every skull. Explore all of our bear taxidermy options including half mounts, full life-size mounts, and rugs.
Skull Mount Options
We offer several bear skull mount styles to suit your display preferences:
- European Skull Mount (Standard): The skull is fully cleaned, whitened, and finished for a classic bone-white display. Ready to hang or place on a shelf.
- Skull on Plaque: The finished skull is mounted on a solid wood plaque for an easy, ready-to-hang wall display.
- Skull on Custom Base: The skull is set on a custom wood or natural base for tabletop or shelf display.
- Dipped or Painted Skulls: We can apply hydro-dip camo patterns, custom paint, or other finishes for a unique, personalized look.
Our Cleaning & Finishing Process
Every bear skull at Stehling’s Taxidermy is cleaned and finished using professional methods that preserve the bone and deliver a clean, lasting result. Our process includes:
- Beetle Cleaning: We use dermestid beetles to carefully strip all tissue from the skull without damaging the bone — the preferred method for the cleanest results.
- Degreasing: Bear skulls contain significant natural oils. We thoroughly degrease each skull to prevent yellowing and oil seepage over time.
- Whitening: Skulls are professionally whitened for a clean, bright finish. We never use household bleach, which can damage and weaken bone.
- Sealing: A final clear coat seals the skull to protect the finish and make it easy to maintain.
Bear Skull Mount Pricing
Bear skull mounts at Stehling’s Taxidermy are priced at $275 for a standard European-style skull mount, which includes cleaning, degreasing, whitening, and finishing. Plaque mounts, custom bases, and dipped or painted finishes are available at additional cost.
For a full breakdown of all bear mount options — including half mounts ($2,500+), full life-size mounts ($5,000+), and rugs ($350/ft) — visit our pricing page or our main bear taxidermy page.
We also offer flexible financing and payment plans so you can get your skull mount completed without delay.
Field Care Tips – Preparing Your Bear Skull
Proper handling of the skull in the field makes a big difference in the quality of the final mount:
- If you are having only a skull mount done (not a full or half mount), skin out the head and remove as much tissue as possible.
- Keep the skull cool and out of direct sunlight.
- Do not boil the skull — boiling can damage and weaken the bone structure.
- Freeze the skull if you cannot get it to a taxidermist right away.
- When in doubt, call us before your hunt and we’ll walk you through the field preparation for a skull mount.
Read our complete field care and pre-hunt planning guide, or check out our bear hunting tips article for more advice on getting from the field to the finished mount.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’ve already harvested your bear or you’re planning ahead for next season, we’d love to talk about your skull mount. Contact us today for a free consultation and quote.
Call or Text: 920-723-1224
