Most Popular Big Game Animals for Taxidermy

Most Popular Big Game Animals for Taxidermy
1. Whitetail Deer

Extremely common and widely captured for trophies throughout North America.

Frequent choice for shoulder mounts and euro-mounts.
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2. Elk

Valued for both their impressive size and commanding presence as full-body or pedestal mounts.

Hunters often prize trophy-sized bulls for their majestic antlers and sheer scale.
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3. Moose

One of the largest North American big game animals, offering a grand and very impressive presence when mounted.

Forum discussions often rank bull moose among the top “most impressive” mounts.
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4. Bears (e.g., Black Bear)

Popular due to their impressive bulk and expressive features, especially when skillfully presented.

Black bears are frequently targeted by hunters and preserved via taxidermy as full-body or pedestal mounts.
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Wikipedia

5. Mountain Lions

Regarded for their regal appearance and sleek form.

Often chosen for lifelike full-body poses; considered one of the common big-game taxidermy subjects in North America.
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6. Coyotes & Wolves

Popular for those looking for dramatic, dynamic poses—especially coyotes, which can showcase expressive features well.

Common in smaller big-game categories and mounted for their unique aesthetic.
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What Hunters Love About These Animals
A. Trophy Appeal

These animals (especially moose, elk, and bears) provide impressive trophies. The larger, more dramatic antlers or body size mean more wow factor on display.

A hunter on the AfricaHunting forum remarked:

“Bull elk, bull moose, kudu, brown bear, lion, bongo all make impressive mounts.”
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B. Familiarity & Availability

Species like whitetail deer and elk are widely available across North America, making them accessible choices.

They’re also central to hunting traditions and culture.

C. Artistic Display Potential

Some animals—particularly predators like mountain lions or expressive coyotes—allow creative poses that convey motion, emotion, or story.

Forum users especially noted that custom, dynamic mounts (e.g., full-body scenes, running poses) are popular for their lifelike artistry.
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D. Personal Significance

A mount isn’t just decoration—it’s a way to relive a memorable hunt.

Many hunters choose animals they’ve had a strong emotional or experiential connection with, like a prized whitetail or the one that got away.

Summary Table
Animal Why It’s Popular
Whitetail Deer Common, accessible, traditional trophy animal
Elk Large, majestic antlers; makes for striking full or pedestal mounts
Moose Massive size brings awe and impressive display
Bear (e.g., Black Bear) Powerful, expressive features, versatile mounting styles
Mountain Lion Sleek, noble look perfect for creative poses
Coyote / Wolf Dynamic, emotive, ideal for naturalistic or storytelling mounts
Final Thoughts

While I couldn’t access the specific article from Taxidermy Warehouse, the trends across taxidermy and hunting communities point to whitetail deer, elk, moose, bears, and mountain lions as consistently favored big game mounts. Hunters love them for their visual impact, accessibility, and emotional significance. If you’re interested in regional variations (e.g., African game, European species), or want examples of popular dynamic or life-size mounts, I’d be happy to dive deeper—just let me know!

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