Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.7 Best Antler Mounts For Deer | Skip the Taxidermist Bill

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The Skull Hooker Big Hooker in Robust Brown is the gold standard for large and extra-large European trophies. Designed for species from elk and moose to bison and polar bear, this wall-mount system uses a powder-coated steel arm that swivels and adjusts through 12 locking angles. The two included prongs—one standard and one XXL—allow you to swap between a caribou skull and a massive Cape Buffalo without buying a second mount. Weighing 2.8 pounds, the steel construction feels solid in hand and requires anchoring into a wall stud for full support.

Customer reviews consistently praise the adjustability and secure hold. One user with a 6×6 bull elk reported the mount held perfectly for years without budging, while another noted the skull sits 4 to 5 inches off the wall, which prevents antler tips from scraping the paint. The bronze hue of the Robust Brown finish is subtle enough to blend with most home decor while still looking like a purpose-built piece of equipment. The hardware kit includes the wall plate, arm, prongs, and screws, but heavy skulls benefit from upgrading the wall anchors.

Installation is straightforward, though the base plate should be mounted first before attaching the arm to avoid alignment frustration with large racks. The only limitation is clearance—a tall bull elk may require a 9-foot ceiling or a downward angle to avoid hitting the ceiling. For any hunter bringing home a truly large trophy, this is the mount that delivers both security and presentation flexibility.

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This Graphite Black version of the Skull Hooker Big Hooker offers the exact same heavy-duty engineering as its brown sibling but in a sleek, modern finish that disappears against dark walls or contemporary decor. At 2.8 pounds with powder-coated alloy steel construction, it handles large to extra-large skulls from elk, caribou, grizzly bear, and moose with zero flex. The two-prong system includes the standard prong for most elk-sized skulls and the XXL prong for the true giants like bison and moose.

Customers consistently report easy solo installation and a rock-solid hold. One verified buyer with a large 4-point bull elk said the mount looked heavy-duty and held beautifully without any wobble. Another noted the “euro mount elk” setup was simple to do alone and that the distance from the wall was perfect for preventing antler scraping. The adjustable arm allows you to tilt the skull up or down and rotate it left or right, so you can fine-tune the exact angle that shows off the rack’s best spread.

The only real requirement is that you hit a stud—the included drywall anchors are not sufficient for a 30-pound skull. A 1-year limited warranty backs the product, and the black finish resists rust and scratches better than painted alternatives. For hunters who want the premium Big Hooker performance without the higher price tag, this is the smart pick.

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The TTW Ultimate Antler Mounting Kit from Taxidermists Woodshop is a complete DIY solution for hunters who cleaned the skull themselves and want a professional-looking finished mount. The centerpiece is a solid black walnut face plate with a beautiful satin finish—real wood, not a veneer or composite. The kit also includes a rubberized skull cap that covers the cut skull base, giving the mount a clean, finished appearance without needing to fully whiten the bone.

Customers consistently praise the walnut quality, calling it “beautiful” and “high quality,” and note the kit is easy to use for a weekend project. One buyer took about 30 minutes per mount after pre-drilling the screw holes, and the results looked impressive enough to purchase the kit twice more. The rubber skull cap is flexible and easy to trim to fit your skull’s shape, though some wish it were made of a different material. The included instructions and mounting hardware are adequate, but upgrading to a longer screw for the skull is recommended.

Made in the USA, this kit is ideal for whitetail and mule deer of average size. It won’t accommodate extra-large skulls like elk or moose—those need the wall-standoff design of the Big Hooker—but for a standard European mount on a plaque, this is the best-looking option available. The only downside is that the rubber cap can feel slightly cheap compared to the premium walnut, but the overall presentation more than makes up for it.

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The Do-All Outdoors American Iron Buck takes a different approach to antler mounting by using a sculpted aluminum plate instead of prongs or a wooden plaque. The plate measures 8.1 by 15.8 inches and features a hydrographic dip of the American flag in red, white, and blue, making it a conversation piece as much as a mount. The aluminum construction keeps the weight down to 1.5 pounds, which is easier to hang than steel alternatives, but still provides a sturdy base for whitetail and mule deer skulls.

Customers who bought this mount for multiple racks reported it was easy to use and looked great with mule deer antlers. One buyer owns three of them and recommends them specifically for “when you just want to display a set of antlers” without the cost of a shoulder mount. The skull cap design requires you to cut the skull base to fit the plate’s contours, then attach it using the included hardware. For a cleaner look, some users modified the mount by painting the antlers with Cerakote or swapping the screws.

The flag pattern is vivid and resistant to fading thanks to the hydrographic process. The mount is best suited for medium game and smaller trophies where the flag motif fits the display location, such as a man cave or hunting lodge. It won’t work for elk or moose due to size constraints, and the metal-on-metal attachment can scratch the skull if you aren’t careful. But for a themed display that stands out, it’s a fun and functional choice.

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The Walnut Classic Face Plate Plaque from Taxidermists Woodshop offers genuine solid walnut construction with a beautiful satin finish that elevates any European mount. Measuring 7.5 inches wide by 14.5 inches tall, it’s the perfect size for a standard whitetail or mule deer skull. The wood grain is natural and rich, giving a furniture-grade appearance that blends into a living room or office far better than a metal arm.

Customer feedback overwhelmingly praises the plaque itself as “good quality” and “beautifully finished,” with many saying it looks expensive once the antlers are mounted. The recommended installation method is to lay the skull on the plaque to center it, then drill a hole from the back to drive a screw into the skull from underneath. This creates a clean, invisible attachment that looks like the skull is floating on the wood. The included bracket and screw, however, are widely criticized as undersized—multiple reviewers recommend discarding them and using a 3-inch drywall screw for the skull and a heavy-duty wall hanger.

The solid walnut is prone to scratching if you aren’t careful during installation, but a quick wipe with furniture polish restores the satin sheen. For anyone who wants a classic, handcrafted look without spending hundreds at a taxidermist, this plaque delivers. It is not designed for large elk or moose skulls—the 7.5-inch width isn’t enough—but for deer, it’s the best wooden option at this price point.

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The Dark Oak Classic Face Plate Plaque is the budget-friendly alternative to the walnut version, offering solid oak construction at a lower entry point. The dimensions are identical at 7.5 by 14.5 inches, and the dark oak stain with a satin finish gives it a warm, traditional appearance that works well with both stained and natural skulls. It includes mounting hardware, hanging brackets, and instructions, making it a complete drop-in solution for a DIY European mount.

Customer reviews highlight the plaque as “great looking” and “quality finish,” with one buyer noting that the size fit their euro mount perfectly. The most detailed review recommends drilling a hole 3.25 inches down from the top and centered, then driving the screw through the board into the skull from behind. This is the same clean-mount method used with the walnut plaque, but at a lower cost. Several buyers said they would buy more for future racks.

The main drawback is the same as the walnut version—the included hardware is lackluster. One reviewer pointed out that the bracket for hanging on the wall was included, but there was no bracket for securing the deer mount itself. A simple drywall screw or a 3-inch wood screw resolves this. The dark oak finish can also vary slightly between units, but for the price, it’s a solid, dependable plaque that gets the job done without breaking the bank.

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The Do-All Outdoors Dead Deer Iron Buck takes a sculptural approach to antler mounting, using a patented steel frame that wraps around the skull cap rather than sitting behind it. The design is a skeletonized silhouette of a deer skull, giving the mount an artistic, almost steampunk look that appeals to hunters who want something different from a traditional plaque. It’s constructed from rugged solid steel and designed for medium-sized game, making it a perfect fit for smaller whitetail and mule deer.

Customers report that the mount is easy to assemble and looks great on a 145+ class set of antlers. One buyer combined it with a half skull plate and painted it with stainless black Rust-Oleum, achieving a wife-approved display that now sits in the living room. Another noted that the silver metal finish was too “creepy” for their spouse, so they removed the plastic coating and repainted it with Cerakote in Patriot brown. The design allows you to position the skull at your preferred angle and then lock it in place with screws from the rear.

This mount requires you to cut the skull cap larger than the instruction template if you want a precise, snug fit. It also works best when you drive a screw from the back into the top of the skull to maintain a preferred angle—something not explicitly mentioned in the instructions. The steel frame is durable and looks contemporary, but the bare silver finish may not match every interior. For those comfortable with a bit of modification, it’s a creative alternative that saves money over a shoulder mount.