Where to store my mounts
General Topic
I am closing on the sale of my home on Monday and downsizing into an apartment and have a dilemma. I am not worried about the antler and euro mounts but the others are of concern. I live in Northern MN FYI. Here are my options:
1. I have a new 30 x 40 metal building at my cabin/home in the country 12 ft ceiling, it is fully insulated and I installed propane heat but intend to heat it only when I use it. I had the builder put extra boards between the posts in one corner thinking I was going to finish off a utility room for working on guns etc. The room was never finished. I also moved my gun safes into the garage this week. Temperature change and bugs are my concern here. Mice have also infiltrated the building but I don't think they'll climb a bare metal wall to reach a mount.
2. My buddy has a back room at his office that is not being used. It would be fine, except there's the potential for a leaky roof, or whatever else is out of my control.
I've got 2 caribou mounts, 2 turkey fans, Whitetail mount, antelope mount, 2 ducks, 2 grouse, 2 ptarmigan, bear rug, a fish and numerous euro mounts. My cabin/house is small and already full of taxidermy unless I cram everything in. My intention is to build an addition of 2 bedrooms on that place in the next year or two so I'd have a den with my mounts.
I'm concerned about putting the mounts in the garage due to the temperature changes, bugs, and dust/dirt flying around every time I sweep the floor. I think the mounts would be a mess in short order if they weren't in a separated room.
What do you folks think?
When I was selling my home and moving states, I rented a climate controlled storage unit. They kept the facility clean and it wasn't exposed to a lot of temperature changes. I also set-off bug bombs every 3 months or so, just in case there were any concerns with bugs getting into the mounts. I never had a problem.
When do you think you will have a home where you will display the mounts
I'd put them on the wall of my apartment.
I will have the addition done either next summer/fall 2019 or the following. So Fall 2020 I suppose at the latest.
Apartment is not an option. My 16 y.o. daughter lives with me 1/2 time and she already said she didn't want mounts there since the other house is already full. I'm honoring her wishes since it's her home too, I want her to make it desireable that she'll stay with me instead of her mother a mile away.
It's pretty much option 1 or 2 above.
Any outdoor stores near? Some stores allow people to hang their mounts in the store for people to look at.
I have a deer mount of my dad's at the local Sportmans Warehouse. Been there for years. You just sign a form and they hang it up.
The nearest store would be a Gander Outdoors and Fleet Farm in Duluth about an hour away. Hadn't thought of that idea, not sure if I like it or not. It'd be a temporary thing, not sure if they'd want them. With Gander Mtn going bankrupt and watching stores come and go, I'm a little leery of losing my mounts.
Did you have them done with one taxidermist? They may agree to store them in their showroom for a short period of time.
We occasionally store mounts for our clients that are in similar situations.
Yes Keith however, it's a one-man show that works out of his basement. He begged me to pick up the caribou ASAP because they take up so much room.
I really was hoping for more insight on option number 1. LOL
Keep 'em coming guys :-)
I don't think temp changes are a huge concern, perhaps someone has better knowledge on this issue. If I were hanging them in a semi-unfinished space I'd seal them in big plastic bags, maybe with some mount preservative spray to ensure no bugs get into them. You have a REAL risk of dermestid beetles or moths or similar getting into them anytime they are in a garage or non-sealed living space.
Why do you think there would be a leaky roof on option #2? Has there already been a leak or just speculation?
If your only options are #1 or #2 above, I'd pick #2 and flip your buddy a few bucks to have him keep an eye on things. I'd rather have them sitting in a totally climate controlled building than in metal pole shed.
We've had mounted deer at our cabin for years. Only time its stays heated is when we are there. I don't think I've noticed any damage due to cold conditions. The leaky roof option would be totally out...
Got with option 2 and just put contractor bags over them.
When you decide, get some Tempo and spray the surrounding surfaces and the bases of your mounts every few months. Anything that touches the surfaces will be dead in a few hours. Lasts for months.
Personally I would crate them....I build 4'x4'x4' crates with plywood or osb with 2x2s in the corners....build the box hang your mounts then throw moth balls in then screw the box shut. I even caulk the corners. You can build them and even stack them so they don`t take up a lot of room. Then put them in your steel building.
Absolutely safe and no maintenance needed.
Help your friend patch the leaks and spray the mounts with pesticide.
