×

How to Hang a Steer Skull

Louise Lawson

Incorporate the American Wild West into your home's decor by mounting a genuine steer skull on a wall. A popular item for Southwestern and ranch themes, cattle skulls -- particularly horned cattle -- bring a touch of instant history to the room.

By simply hanging a steer skull, you can transform a drab den into a powerful, masculine room. The process isn't difficult, and you can do it yourself using common household tools.

Tip

Make sure the skull is clean and free of pests before bringing it indoors. Skulls brought directly from outdoors may be infested with insects that can spread throughout your home. Determine the correct wire gauge by weighing the skull, then purchase picture-hanging wire made to support the weight.

Warning

Wear protective eyewear and a respiratory filter mask when drilling through bone.

  1. Mark the placement for two small holes on the back of the steer skull, directly behind the eye sockets. Drill carefully into the skull at those points with a power drill. Use a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws so that the screws do not slip or shift after the skull is mounted on the wall.

  2. Place a screw over each of the holes you drilled and drive them in with a screwdriver. Because the screws are slightly bigger than the holes, tighten them slowly to avoid cracking the skull. Leave approximately 1/4 inch of each screw exposed so you have plenty of space to secure a hanger to the screws.

  3. Trim a 12-inch long section of wire to use as a hanger. Wrap one end around each of the screws, twisting the ends around the screw to prevent it from coming loose. This wire will support the full weight of the skull, so make sure it is a heavy gauge that won't break under pressure after the skull is mounted.

  4. Decide where to hang the skull. Run a stud finder over the area to find a solid stud. Set a screw in the stud using a drill, driving it deep enough to prevent the skull from shifting.

  5. Hang the skull over the mounting screw. Center the wire to keep the skull from shifting out of alignment. You may want to loop the wire around the screw once to further secure the skull.

The Drip Cap

  • Incorporate the American Wild West into your home's decor by mounting a genuine steer skull on a wall.
  • By simply hanging a steer skull, you can transform a drab den into a powerful, masculine room.
  • Set a screw in the stud using a drill, driving it deep enough to prevent the skull from shifting.
  • Hang the skull over the mounting screw.