If you’re new to buying taxidermy, the format matters as much as the species — it decides how much space you need, how it ships, and roughly where it sits on price. Here’s how to choose.
Full mount
The entire animal, posed standing, walking or in an action pose. Full mounts make the biggest visual statement and need the most commitment — floor or significant wall space, careful crating for freight, and usually the highest price point within a species due to the amount of material and preparation work involved.
Best for: hunting lodges, feature pieces in a large room, serious collectors with the space to dedicate to one specimen.
Shoulder mount
Head, neck and shoulders, mounted on a wall-hanging board. This is the classic “trophy on the wall” format — it takes up far less space than a full mount while still giving a strong sense of the animal’s scale, and it’s the most common format for game species like deer.
Best for: studies, games rooms, anywhere you want genuine trophy presence without full-mount floor space.
European mount
The cleaned, whitened skull, typically with horns or antlers still attached, mounted on a simple wall plaque or left freestanding. It strips the presentation back to bone and horn — a more minimal, almost sculptural look compared to a full skin mount.
Best for: smaller rooms and apartments, a more contemporary aesthetic, buyers who want the trophy element without the fur/feather maintenance.
Skull only
No horns or antlers — valued for anatomical form and species detail rather than trophy size. Often the most affordable entry point into a species, and popular with buyers building out a natural history or curiosity collection rather than a single statement piece.
Best for: collectors, desks and shelves, gifts, and anyone starting a collection on a smaller budget.
A quick way to decide
| Priority | Best format |
|---|---|
| Maximum visual impact | Full mount |
| Trophy presence, less space | Shoulder mount |
| Small space, modern look | European mount |
| Budget entry point, collecting | Skull only |
Whatever format you’re after, every listing states it clearly alongside the species and grade. Browse by format and species across the full catalogue, or start with a specific collection — Native & Feral, African & Exotic Game, or Skulls & European Mounts.