Life-Size & Half Mounts

Derek Pearson, has built a reputation for going above and beyond in his craft. His meticulous attention to detail ensures that every life-size and half mount truly brings your harvest to life, capturing the essence and spirit of each animal. With a commitment to quality that stands the test of time, Derek’s work not only preserves your trophy but also transforms it into a lasting masterpiece.

Life-Size & Half Mounts For Your Trophy Harvest

Derek Pearson provides exceptional life-size and half mount taxidermy services from his studio in Nanaimo, serving clients across North America. With extensive experience working with a wide range of animals from all over the world, including exotic African, South American, and North American species, Derek's craftsmanship is unparalleled. He has worked with large animals such as hippos and bison and is proficient in creating lifelike action sequences featuring two or more animals, crafting detailed scenes that bring a dynamic snapshot of nature right into your home.

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Comparing The Two Styles Of Taxidermy

Half Mounts

Half mounts typically include the front half of the animal, encompassing the head, neck, shoulders, and front legs. This style of mount provides a dynamic display that showcases the animal’s key features while taking up less space compared to a full mount. Half mounts can be displayed on a wall outside of a habitat if you prefer, offering versatile options for placement in your home or trophy room.

Space-Saving: Half mounts are an excellent choice for those with limited space. They provide a striking display without the need for a large area.
Easier Field Dressing: Preparing an animal for a half mount is less complex than a full mount. The process involves fewer cuts, making it easier to handle in the field.
Versatile Display Options: Half mounts can be displayed on a wall or integrated into a custom habitat. This flexibility allows for personalized presentation based on your preferences.

Life-Size (Full) Mounts

Life-size mounts, also known as full mounts, involve preserving the entire animal in a lifelike pose. This type of mount creates a dramatic and highly detailed display, capturing the full essence of the animal as it appeared in its natural habitat.

Complete Display: Full mounts provide a comprehensive representation of the animal, from head to tail, in a natural and realistic pose. This style of mount is ideal for creating an immersive display.
Custom Habitats: Full mounts are often paired with custom habitats that reflect the environment where the animal was harvested. This enhances the overall presentation, making it a true work of art.
Higher Skill Required: Field dressing for a life-size mount requires a higher level of skill and precision. Every part of the hide must be preserved without cuts or nicks to ensure a flawless final product.
Impressive Presence: Full mounts make a bold statement and are perfect for showcasing the majesty and beauty of larger game animals. They are often the centerpiece of trophy rooms and exhibitions.

Both half mounts and life-size mounts offer unique benefits and can be tailored to suit your specific needs and preferences. Whether you choose a space-saving half mount or a comprehensive life-size mount, DP Wild Artistry ensures each piece is crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail.

Custom Positions, and Unique Habitats

Unique Custom Habitats

Half mounts and full mounts at DP Wild Artistry generally come with a custom habitat, ensuring each display is entirely unique. Every rock, patch of snow, body of water, and piece of foliage is custom-made and carefully assembled to match the specific habitat where the animal was harvested. This meticulous attention to detail creates a truly personalized and authentic display.

Seamless Integration and Enhanced Visual Appeal

Custom habitats are especially beneficial for half mounts, as they create the illusion of the entire animal and seamlessly blend it into the background. This thoughtful design enhances the visual appeal, providing a more lifelike and immersive experience. By replicating the animal’s natural surroundings, your hunting memories are brought to life in a way that honors the beauty and majesty of each specimen.

Meticulous Customization Process

Derek Pearson employs a meticulous process that involves breaking down pre-bought molds and customizing them to create unique positions for every piece. This approach allows him to tailor each mount to the specific desires of the client, bringing their imagination to life before their eyes. By manipulating and reassembling these molds, Derek ensures that every mount is a one-of-a-kind creation that reflects the client’s vision.

Dynamic Action Sequences

This level of customization also makes it possible to create unique action sequences involving two or even three different animals. Whether it’s a dramatic scene of a bear fending off a wolf, a fox with its catch, or even two friends positioned in a tree, Derek’s expertise enables the recreation of specific moments with remarkable accuracy. These dynamic displays capture the essence of wildlife interactions, offering a vivid and captivating experience.

Field Dressing & Preservation Tips.

Field dressing animals properly for a life-size or half-mount requires a higher skill level than preparing for a shoulder mount. Proper care must be taken as there is no material to spare, and any cuts or nicks in the hide will make it harder to create a flawless masterpiece. Here are some essential tips to help you ensure the best results:

Keep Paws and Hooves Intact

When field dressing for a life-size or half mount, keeping the paws or hooves intact is crucial. Cut them off the limb entirely a few inches above the joint. This practice ensures that the integrity of these crucial parts is maintained, allowing for a more realistic and lifelike final mount. The same can also be done with the head of the animal, removing a few vertebrae down on the neck and keeping the animal whole.

Cool the Hide Quickly

Cool the hide as quickly as possible to preserve the hair follicles and prevent slippage. This can be done by placing the hide in a cooler with ice packs or storing it in a cool, shaded area. Rapid cooling helps maintain the quality of the hide, ensuring it remains in optimal condition for mounting.

Proper Transportation

If you’re not equipped to skin the animal on the spot, it’s essential to transport it carefully to minimize damage. Avoid dragging the animal, as this can cause significant harm to the hide. Instead, use a sled, tarp, or another method to move the whole body, ensurint the hide remains undamaged and ready for professional taxidermy.

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Why DP Wild Artistry?

We offer a quicker turnaround time by meticulously preparing and customizing each mount in-house, allowing for precise control over the entire process. Our life-size and half mounts exceed expectations with their lifelike appearance and exceptional detail. From custom habitats that reflect the animal's natural environment to realistic poses and intricate detailing, every mount showcases the superior craftsmanship of DP Wild Artistry. Discover the excellence of our work, where every piece is a masterpiece.

Life-Size & Half Mounts