Shoulder Mount Taxidermy

Shoulder mount taxidermy, also known as cape mount taxidermy, is the most popular African taxidermy option which utilises the cape skin and the skull and horns.

Make sure you tell your taxidermist your preference regarding having the horns blackened and polished or left looking natural.
You will need to inform your taxidermist which direction you would like the head to look towards. This may be important in creating a balanced look in your trophy room with some heads mounted straight with others going left and right. It may also be an issue where space is tight. Having the head turned also shows some species like sable, to their best advantage.
Bullet holes and other similar damage will be repaired if possible.
If your trophy animal has a natural disfigurement such as only one eye, a drooping ear etc, let your taxidermist know if you want it to be mounted like this or corrected (where possible).
These mounts generally back straight against the wall. If you prefer, they can be mounted on a wooden shield which may be useful on which to place a small plaque with the date and place the animal was taken.
Shoulder mounts may also be designed to sit on a pedestal.

Half Mounts

These mounts are essentially the front half of the animal including the front legs.
Mounted against a wall, they give the impression of an animal emerging from vegetation or in the case of a warthog, out of his burrow.