European mounts have been around since the first hunters kept the skull of a wooly mammoth to show their clan, but recent years have seen a resurgence.

More and more hunters are choosing to forgo the traditional shoulder mounts in favor of simple skulls and antlers. But, as simple as they appear, European mounts involve more than clean bone on a wooden plaque.

When I was growing up, European mounts, or Western mounts as they are known, were not art or home decor. They were nailed to barn doors and maybe hung in a cabin or camp. They were not considered a mount as much as a low-cost means of showing off a harvest not worthy of investing in an actual mount.

In recent years, all that has changed. Sure, camps and barns are still adorned with whitened skulls, but so are offices, living rooms and man caves. European mounts are no longer the cheap option, either. In addition to the standard skull on a plaque design, there is the ability to have designs added via hydro-dip or wraps and metal or 3D-printed reproductions.

Every season seems to introduce new options, limited only by imagination.

The first step in getting your European mount is deciding whether to do it yourself or hire a taxidermist. Although this is a project that many DIYers successfully tackle each season, it is time-consuming and requires some potential for trial and error. With the typical cost for this type of mount being between $100-$150, choosing to do it yourself is more about the experience and saving money.

Next, you need to decide how you want to clean the skull. Your main choices for cleaning the skull are dermestid beetles, boiling or macerating, and maggots. If you are going the DIY route, macerating is the most popular, as most hunters cannot access beetles or maggots.

Taxidermists will utilize primarily maceration or beetles, depending on which method they were trained in. Whether doing it myself or using a taxidermist, I prefer maceration as it removes all the grease, preventing premature yellowing.

Regardless of which method you choose to clean the skull, the next step is whitening. Multiple methods are available for completing this process, but the easiest way is to use a concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution. Whitening is an important step because it not only helps preserve the mount but also improves the overall appearance.

Finally, it is time to complete the display. One of the reasons European mounts are so popular is that the ways they can be displayed are almost endless. You can use a simple wooden plaque, live-edge wood, an elaborate forest floor scene or simply hang the skull from a hook.

You do not even need to mount the skull at all, it can also be set on a bookshelf or fireplace mantle and still maintain a simple elegance.

Like your other mounts, your European mount will require some simple but essential steps to maintain it through the years.

• Display it in a cool, dry location, preferably out of direct sunlight.

• Dust it regularly, but not more than necessary, to maintain cleanliness.

• If you need to remove a stain, use a damp cloth and mild soap. Never use harsh chemicals or bleach.

• Handle the mount as little as possible. Many parts of the skull are thin and easily broken, plus the antlers are prone to detaching if hit too hard.

• If your mount starts to separate or yellow, it is time to consult a taxidermist.