You’ve been an avid hunter for years, but this is the first time you’ve hunted bear. Should your hunt go according to plan, you may want to consider preserving a portion of or even the whole bear to commemorate your adventure. What it will come down to is whether you are interested in having professional taxidermy performed as a means of mounting a bear to your wall, or even have it displayed at ground level.
From head mounts to shoulder mounts to full body mounts, when it comes to the size of your bear trophy, it’s all about individual preference. With that in mind, here are some popular ways hunters have posed bear mounts in Cody, WY:
- Standing on its hind legs: On a strong wood platform, with its base dressed in carpet resembling dirt, leaves, sticks or grass, it is common to see bear mounts standing up on hind legs reaching for the sky, either sniffing in curiosity or growling big, with its mouth wide and its teeth showing. One arm can be outstretched in a pawing motion, or both front paws can extend up and over its head with teeth clenched.
- In attack pose: It’s a popular choice for hunters to enjoy their bear mounts in an attack pose—down on all fours in full roar, one open clawed paw extended out in a swiping motion, or standing up on two legs baring its sharp teeth. As a full body mount, a good quality wood box should be utilized in placement, along with any natural props, like rocks and tree stumps.
- Posing with another bear or animal: Do you have two bears to mount? Pose one bear on all fours facing outward, and the other standing nearby and upright, as if to get a better view of something. Maybe mount them in playing position or have the bears stand facing each other in a fighting stance. Alternatively, include another type of animal in the diorama. Birds, deer, squirrels or even a mountain lion would go wonderfully with a full size bear mount.
- In a sleeping position: For a more peaceful scene, having your bear mounted in a sleeping pose can allow for increased focus on its beautiful fur and shows a not-so-vicious image of bears. Include props found in nature, like a hollow log covered in moss and a couple of small taxidermy woodland creatures.
- Classic head mount or shoulder mount: Showcase your hunting prize by mounting everything from the shoulders up, or just the neck and head. Either way, you can ask the taxidermist to pose the bear with its mouth open, closed or with a growling or roaring expression. Shoulder mounts can face forwards or from either side, and it’s even possible to keep the front legs attached. Many folks find these two methods to be simple, classy ways to show off a kill.
Don’t return home from a long hunt left wondering how you can perfectly preserve that prized bear. If you are looking for quality, life-like taxidermy services for bear mounts in Cody, WY, contact Nature’s Design Taxidermy today!