I have a few extra capes left from the fall of 2004 and I'm considering buying some reproduction antlers and mounting them with those extra capes and then selling the completed mounts. I get plenty of calls and emails from folks looking to buy deer heads, so I know the market is there. My question is: What do you charge for a repro mount. My deer head mount prices start at $380.
I'm considering buying the replicas from Van Dykes. If anbody has anything to say about their antlers I'd apreaciate your input. Also, if anybody knows of other sources for resonably priced repica antlers, then please advise.
Would I be better off buying real antlers or repros for my propose?
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The only reason I would use repros is if I were making a reproduction of a record mount. If you are just doing mounts to move some product I would use antlers that are natural. Repros get pretty pricey and you can usually pick up a real pair much more economicaly. People who buy mounts to put above a mantle don't want to pay huge prices for them. Just my opinion.
WORD!
If you want to sell smaller racks on head mounts the real rack is the way to go. Racks that go 120-130 class! But then the buyer will want the head for the mounting price only. For Boone and Crockett racks and those near book in score you will have to pay a premium, too much to resell as a mount. Reproduction racks that score 170-200+ can be purchased far more reasonably than the real thing and because the mounts are IMPRESSIVE you can get a good price for them.
I make and sell reproduction racks that gross between 160 and 220+ that I sell between $135-$225 unfinished(right out of the mold). If you are interested CALL me, I don't need any "email pen pals".
Dave Ringstrom 218-829-5666
To your question about Van Dykes Repros, is yes the are nice. I have recently purchased 2 sets that a customer of mine wanted. They had nice detail and colored up nice.
dave is right if you want to mount and sell 200 inch bucks, repos are cheaper, now keep in mind, if you want a good representation of the specie with that type of head gear, you will be needing big capes, 175-200 class bucks need 4.5 + yr deer capes, you put them on 18 inch capes theyer going to look like fakes, if your looking to buy 23in. capes get ready to dig deep.
......Are big bodied deer. I have one 200+ B&C that came off a 180 pound(dressed weight) deer, that was an 18" neck with a 20" measurement at the swell. But then, I'm from the "old school" where we measured a cape at the head/neck junction for the size. What I consider a 20" cape is called a 23-25" cape by today's standards. That 20" cape will typically come of a 195-210 pound deer here in Minnesota, that's dressed weight.