Hanging a Longhorn skull mount correctly the first time saves you from patching drywall and rehinging later. For mounts under 80 inches, standard heavy-duty wall anchors may suffice depending on your wall construction. For anything 80 inches and above, you need stud support. Here is the complete process.
Gather What You Need
- Stud finder
- Level (a 24-inch level for larger mounts)
- Drill
- Appropriate lag bolts or heavy-duty screws rated for the weight of the mount (hardware is included with each mount — confirm rating)
- A second person for mounts over 80 inches
Step 1: Find the Studs
Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs. Mark each stud location with a light pencil mark near where the mount hardware will go. Standard stud spacing is 16 inches on center in most American residential construction — older homes may be 24 inches. Confirm before drilling.
Step 2: Determine Mount Height
A common placement for large skull mounts is with the center of the skull at approximately 7 to 7.5 feet from the floor — eye level when standing, viewable from a seated position without straining upward. In rooms with higher ceilings, center the mount slightly above your typical viewing height for better proportion against the full wall height.
Hold a cardboard cutout (or have a helper hold the mount) at the intended height before drilling anything. Stand back and check the placement from across the room.
Step 3: Mark and Drill
Mark the drill locations where the mount hardware aligns with the studs. Double-check with the level before drilling. For mounts over 86 inches, plan for a minimum of two stud connections — the mount hardware should span at least two studs for adequate support.
Step 4: Install
For two-person installation: one person holds the mount at height while the other drives the hardware. Do not attempt to hang an 80-inch-plus mount solo — the weight and size make it impractical and risks damaging the mount if dropped.
Step 5: Check and Adjust
Once hung, confirm the mount is level from multiple angles — the front, and from each side. Make minor height adjustments before fully tightening hardware.
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