Congratulations on the first deer. Whether it came during the October youth hunt, bow season or the November gun season, it is a day your family will want to remember. There are three good ways to do that: photographs, a European skull mount or a shoulder mount. There is no wrong choice, and you do not have to decide in the field. This guide covers what each option involves and what it costs at Stehling’s Taxidermy.
Before you cut: keep your options open
If there is any chance you will want a shoulder mount, do not cut the throat or brisket. Those cuts run through the hide that shows on a finished mount. Our guide to caping a deer for a shoulder mount shows how we do it. If you are not sure where to cut, or how to handle the deer until you can bring it in, call (920) 650-7800 or text us before you start.
Wisconsin hunters must register their deer. The Wisconsin DNR’s deer registration page says to register through GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after recovery, and explains how. This year’s statewide gun deer season runs November 21–29, 2026.
Option 1: Photographs
Many families frame a good photo of a first deer and keep it on the wall for years. Photographs do not require buying taxidermy, and you can take them right where the hunt ended. A few things help:
- Keep it quick. A few photos are enough, and they should not hold up field dressing or getting the deer out of the sun.
- Wipe away blood, tuck the tongue in and set the deer in a natural position.
- Get down to the deer’s level, with the hunter close behind it, and use soft daylight if you can.
- Take several angles and a few close-ups of the head and face.
If you later decide on a mount, bring them along. Those photos give us a useful reference when discussing the mount’s appearance.
Option 2: A European skull mount
A European mount is the cleaned skull, with antlers if the deer has them. We beetle-clean each skull, then degrease and whiten it.
- Price: $275 for a whitetail. Add $50 if the lower jaw is included.
- Display: plaques, panels and specialty finishes are not included in the $275 and are priced separately.
- What to bring: the head. The sooner it reaches us, the better the result, especially in warm weather. Call us if you are not sure how to keep it until then.
- Timing: European mounts usually take less time than full mounts because there is no tanning. We’ll confirm an estimated completion time when you drop it off.
See examples on our European mounts and whitetail skull mounts pages.
Option 3: A shoulder mount
A shoulder mount shows the head, neck and shoulders on the wall, the way you remember the deer.
- Price: $1,100 for a whitetail shoulder mount in any pose or head turn.
- Pedestal mount: $1,350, which is the $1,100 shoulder mount plus a $250 pedestal upgrade that sculpts the neck and chest all the way around. A wall pedestal hangs on the wall and shows more of the chest; a floor pedestal stands on its own base. Both are the same price. The wall panel or floor base is not included and is quoted separately, and habitat is additional.
- Timing: standard delivery is 12 to 14 months, and some projects take longer. We’ll confirm an estimated completion time when you drop it off. Rush options are explained on our Service Promise page.
Not every deer suits every pose, so bring it in or send photos and we will look at it with you. Browse whitetail shoulder mount poses and deer pedestal mounts for ideas.
Side by side
| Option | Price | Not included | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photographs | No taxidermy purchase needed | — | Same day |
| European mount (whitetail) | $275; add $50 with the lower jaw | Plaques, panels and specialty finishes | Usually less time than a full mount. We’ll confirm an estimated completion time when you drop it off. |
| Shoulder mount | $1,100, any pose | Habitat | Standard 12–14 months; some take longer |
| Pedestal mount (wall or floor) | $1,350 | Wall panel or floor base; habitat | Standard 12–14 months; some take longer |
Prices are the same at both locations. See our current price list for prices and options, and our deer mount cost guide for more detail.
Paying for a mount
Our Easy 8 Payment Plan offers four payment options: pay in full, 50/50 (half at order, half due in eight months), three installments or monthly payments. It is run in-house, with no bank and no credit check. The payment plan is about paying, not about when the mount is finished. Delivery times are explained on our Service Promise page.
Where to bring it
Every mount is built in our Jefferson studio. Our New Franken showroom in the Green Bay area is a full drop-off and pickup location; deer dropped off there travel to Jefferson for the work. Walk-ins are welcome during open hours, and each location page lists current hours. To visit outside those hours, contact the location to arrange an appointment. Jefferson: call (920) 650-7800 or text (920) 650-7800. New Franken: call (920) 650-8972 or text (920) 650-8972.
We can take a CWD sample on Wisconsin deer we mount. Just ask at drop-off.
Not sure yet? Take the photos, keep the cape intact and talk it over at home. If you have questions about cutting or caring for the deer before you decide, call or text us first. When you are ready, tell us about your deer and we will help you choose.
