Thanks folks. Yes it IS a heck of a nice buck.
The taxidermist did an excellent job, I think. I had taken the whole (field-dressed) deer to him so that he could cape it out properly. No sense me trying to do something that a guy makes his living at. And we discussed how I wanted the finished mount to look. He is a local lad, near Napanee Ontario, name is Roger Reynolds, R&S Taxidermy, (613) 354-9299.
Yes my basement ceiling is unfinished, just like I want it. This is my "man cave."
And one of these years I am going to get that rack scored too!
Doug